Patent Publication Number: US-2023157199-A1

Title: Batch seed coating devices, scale fillers, mixers, discharge chutes and gates, and related systems and methods

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This document relates batch seed coating devices, scale fillers, mixers, discharge chutes and gates, and related systems and methods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything discussed in them is prior art or part of the knowledge of persons skilled in the art. 
     Batch seed coating mixers combine a mixture of liquid seed and dry coating with a batch of raw seeds together, to produce seeds that are coated with various components that can assist the seed in germination, seed flowability, fertilization, pest control or soil conditioning when planted in soil. A batch mixer might have a seed weigh bucket, a coating injector, a vertical mixing bowl, and some way of discharging coated seeds from the bowl. 
     SUMMARY 
     A batch seed coating device is disclosed comprising: a housing forming a seed mixing bowl; a stirring part mounted to stir, about a rotational axis, a mixture of seeds and seed coating within an interior of the seed mixing bowl; and a plurality of mixing blades angularly spaced around the interior of the seed mixing bowl with a leading face of each mixing blade angled radially inward along a direction of rotation about the rotational axis to in use direct the mixture radially inward. 
     A method is disclosed comprising: stirring a mixture of seeds and seed coating within an interior of a seed mixing bowl around a rotational axis of the seed mixing bowl; in which while stirring, a plurality of mixing blades, which are angularly spaced around the interior of the seed mixing bowl with a leading face of each mixing blade angled radially inward along a direction of rotation about the rotational axis, direct the mixture radially inward. 
     A batch seed coating device is disclosed comprising: a housing having a cylindrical side wall that forms a seed mixing bowl; a stirring part structured to in use rotate, in a direction of stirring rotation, about a rotational axis, a mixture of seeds and seed coating within an interior of the seed mixing bowl; a discharge chute mounted to an exterior of the cylindrical side wall at a discharge port in the cylindrical side wall, the discharge chute having an arcuate leading interior wall shaped to direct coated seeds, which are discharged into the discharge chute from the interior through the discharge port, to move radially outward in a chute rotational direction that is opposite to the direction of stirring rotation; and a discharge gate mounted to the discharge port. 
     A method is disclosed comprising: stirring a mixture of seeds and seed coating within an interior of a seed mixing bowl in a direction of stirring rotation around an axis of the seed mixing bowl; and discharging coated seeds from the seed mixing bowl through a discharge port in the cylindrical side wall into a discharge chute, the discharge chute having an arcuate leading interior wall shaped to direct coated seeds to move radially outward in a chute rotational direction that is opposite to the direction of stirring rotation. 
     A batch seed coating device is also disclosed comprising: a housing forming a seed mixing bowl; a stirring part mounted to stir, about a rotational axis, a mixture of seeds and seed coating within an interior of the seed mixing bowl; a discharge port in the cylindrical side wall; and a moveable mixing blade mounted to move within the interior of the seed mixing bowl between: a recirculating position where a leading face of the moveable mixing blade is angled to in use direct the mixture radially inward; and a discharge position where the leading face is angled to in use direct the mixture radially outward into the discharge port. 
     A method is also disclosed comprising: stirring a mixture of seeds and seed coating within an interior of a seed mixing bowl around a rotational axis of the seed mixing bowl, in which a moveable mixing blade, which is mounted within the interior of the seed mixing bowl, is positioned in a recirculating position with a leading face of the moveable mixing blade angled to direct the mixture radially inward; and discharging coated seeds from the seed mixing bowl through a discharge port in the cylindrical side wall, with the moveable mixing blade re-positioned in a discharge position such that the leading face is angled to direct the mixture radially outward into the discharge port. 
     A seed scale fill system is disclosed comprising: a fill hopper with a side wall and a seed discharge opening; and an articulating gate on the seed discharge opening of the fill hopper. 
     A method is disclosed comprising: supplying seeds into a fill hopper; manipulating an articulating gate of the fill hopper into an open position to pour the seeds into a weigh hopper; manipulating the articulating gate into a trickle position to meter seeds into the weigh bucket; and closing the articulating gate when the weigh bucket is at a predetermined fill level. The seed may be introduced into the hopper in a way so that there is minimal mechanical impact to the seed by causing the initial seed to travel down the side of weigh hopper. 
     In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of the following features: The leading face of each mixing blade is oriented to form an obtuse angle with a circumference of rotation defined about the rotational axis. The housing comprises a cylindrical side wall, and the plurality of mixing blades are mounted to interior surfaces of the cylindrical side wall. Each mixing blade is tapered with increasing distance from the cylindrical side wall in a direction toward a top of the seed mixing bowl. The stirring part comprises a rotary table. The rotary table forms an inner bowl that nests within the seed mixing bowl. A seed coating injector. The seed coating injector comprises a plurality of nozzles directed toward a rotary disc located coaxial with the rotational axis. Each mixing blade has an anchor arm extended from a rear face of the mixing blade, the anchor arm secured to a side wall of the interior of the seed mixing bowl. A seed supply hopper. The seed supply hopper comprises a discharge gate forming a scoop that is structured to swing down from an open base end of the seed supply hopper to direct seeds toward a side of the seed mixing bowl. The seed supply hopper is oriented to supply seeds through a roof of the housing into the interior. The seed supply hopper comprises a weigh bucket. The housing has a cylindrical side wall, and further comprising a discharge chute mounted to an exterior of the cylindrical side wall at a discharge port in the cylindrical side wall, the discharge chute having an arcuate leading interior wall shaped to direct coated seeds, which are discharged into the discharge chute from the interior through the discharge port, to move radially outward in a chute rotational direction that is opposite to the direction of rotation. A moveable mixing blade is mounted to move within an interior of the seed mixing bowl between: a recirculating position where a leading face of the moveable mixing blade is angled to in use direct the mixture radially inward; and a discharge position where the leading face is angled to in use direct the mixture radially outward into the discharge port. Rotating a rotary table that is nested within the seed mixing bowl. Injecting seed coating into the seed mixing bowl. Supplying seeds into the seed mixing bowl from a weigh bucket. Discharging coated seeds from the seed mixing bowl. When in the recirculating position, the leading face is angled radially inward along a direction of rotation about the rotational axis. When in the recirculating position, the leading face of the moveable mixing blade is oriented to form an obtuse angle with a circumference of rotation defined about the rotational axis. When in the discharge position, the leading face of the mixing blade is angled radially outward along a direction of rotation about the rotational axis. The mixing blade is mounted to the cylindrical side wall. The mixing blade is mounted to rotate about a blade axis that is perpendicular to the rotational axis and defined within the interior. A blade actuator mounted to move the moveable mixing blade between the discharge position and the recirculating position. The blade actuator comprises a linear actuator and a crank arm mounted to rotate the moveable mixing blade about a shaft. The moveable mixing blade is mounted at a downstream end of the discharge port. A discharge gate mounted to the discharge port. A discharge chute mounted to an exterior of the cylindrical side wall at the discharge port. Re-positioning the moveable mixing blade from the recirculating position to the discharge position. Re-positioning comprises rotating the moveable mixing blade about a blade axis that is both parallel to the rotational axis and defined within the interior. The mixing blade is mounted at a downstream end of the discharge port. Discharging further comprises opening a discharge gate at the discharge port. Re-positioning the moveable mixing blade from the discharge position into the recirculating position. An interior surface of the discharge gate is arcuate to follow a cylindrical shape of an interior surface of the cylindrical side wall. A base of the discharge chute is sloped downward moving radially outward from the cylindrical side wall. The discharge chute defines a seed exit opening in a base of the discharge chute. A rear portion, opposite the arcuate leading interior wall, of a base of the discharge chute is sloped downward moving toward the arcuate leading interior wall. A top hatch in a roof of the discharge chute. An actuator connected to move the discharge gate between an open and closed position. The seed coating injector comprises a plurality of nozzles directed toward a rotary disc located coaxial with the rotational axis. A plurality of mixing blades angularly spaced around the interior of the seed mixing bowl with a leading face of each mixing blade angled radially inward along the direction of stirring rotation about the rotational axis to in use direct the mixture radially inward. The articulating gate is movable between: a closed position; an open position; and a trickle position. The articulating gate comprises: a first flap pivotally connected to the fill hopper; and a second flap pivotally connected to the first flap. The open position is defined when the first flap is open; the trickle position is defined when the first flap is closed but the second flap is open; and the closed position is defined when the first flap and the second flap are closed. The seed discharge opening is defined in a base of the fill hopper; the first flap is connected to swing down and up below the seed discharge opening to converge with and diverge from, respectively, the open base end. The second flap is connected to swing down and up relative to the first flap. Plural pivot axes, defined between: a) the first flap and the fill hopper and b) the first flap and the second flap, are one or both parallel and horizontal. The second flap is pivotally connected at a flap end, of the first flap, with the flap end being opposed to a mounting end where the first flap pivotally connects to the fill hopper. The side wall of the fill hopper comprises first and second walls opposed to one another with third and fourth walls opposed to one another between the first and second walls; the first flap is pivotally connected to the first wall; and when the first flap is in a converged position, the first flap blocks the seed discharge opening except for a seed trickle gap defined between the seed discharge opening and the first flap. The seed trickle gap is defined between the second wall and the flap end and structured to permit lateral movement of the seeds through the seed discharge opening below the second wall when the second flap is open. When closed, the first flap forms a seed ramp that is sloped downward toward the flap end of the first flap. Base edges of the third and fourth walls are tapered downward toward the second wall. When the first flap is in the converged position, the second flap is movable between: open where the second flap permits the discharge of seeds; and closed where the second flap is sloped upward away from the flap end of the first flap to block the discharge of seeds. The seed trickle gap is defined between the second wall and the flap end. The first flap forms a scoop with a base and upright side walls. The second flap forms a scoop with a base and upright side walls. One or more actuators connected to pivot the first flap relative to the fill hopper and the second flap relative to the first flap. When in the closed position the articulating gate has sufficient clearance between the fill hopper to avoid pinch points. A weigh bucket connected to receive seeds from the seed discharge opening. A weight sensor on the weigh bucket. A controller to operate the articulating gate and receive signals from the weight sensor. The controller is configured to operate the articulated gate to fill the weigh bucket to a predetermined seed fill level by: moving the articulated gate into an open position to fill the weigh bucket with seeds from the fill hopper; and when the weigh bucket is between an intermediate seed fill level and the predetermined seed fill level, moving the articulated gate into a trickle position. The controller is configured to operate the articulated gate by, when the weigh bucket is at or near the predetermined seed fill level, moving the articulated gate into the closed position. The weigh bucket forms a hopper with a discharge gate structured to direct discharged seeds laterally out of the weigh bucket. The discharge gate is structured to swing down and up relative to an open base end of the weigh bucket. 
     The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the subject matter of the present disclosure. These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a batch seed coating device, having a seed scale fill system, a mixing drum, a controller, a seed coating injector, and a discharge chute. 
         FIG.  2    is a bottom perspective view of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a top plan view of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a side elevation view of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is another side elevation view of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a front elevation view of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view taken along the  7 - 7  section lines of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  8    is a side view taken along the  8 - 8  section lines of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view taken along the  9 - 9  section lines of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  10    is a close-up view taken along the  10 - 10  section lines of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  11    is a top plan view of a fill hopper of the seed scale fill system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  12    is a rear view of the fill hopper of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of the fill hopper of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  14    is a series of superimposed side elevation views of the fill hopper of  FIG.  11   , with dashed lines indicating an open and closed position for an articulating gate of the fill hopper. 
         FIG.  15    is a view taken along the  15 - 15  section lines from  FIG.  11   , illustrating the fill hopper in a closed position. 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of the fill hopper of  FIG.  11    with the articulating gate in the trickle position. 
         FIG.  17    is a side elevation view of the fill hopper of  FIG.  11    in the trickle position of  FIG.  16   . 
         FIG.  18    is a bottom perspective view of the fill hopper of  FIG.  11    in the trickle position of  FIG.  16   . 
         FIG.  19    is a side elevation view of the fill hopper of  FIG.  11    in the open position. 
         FIG.  20    is a bottom perspective view of the fill hopper of  FIG.  11    in the open position of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  21    is a top plan view of a weigh bucket hopper of the seed scale fill system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  22    is a front elevation view of the weigh bucket hopper of  FIG.  21   . 
         FIG.  23    is a side elevation view of the weigh bucket hopper of  FIG.  21    in an open position. 
         FIG.  24    is a perspective wireframe view of the weigh bucket hopper of  FIG.  21    in an open position. 
         FIG.  25    is a bottom plan view of the weigh bucket hopper of  FIG.  21   . 
         FIG.  26    is a view taken along the  26 - 26  section lines of  FIG.  3   , illustrating only the seed scale fill system of  FIG.  1   , with the fill hopper in the closed position and the weigh bucket hopper in an open position. 
         FIG.  27    is a perspective view of a mixing bowl drum of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   , with a roof of the mixing bowl removed to illustrate the plurality of mixing blades. 
         FIG.  28    is a top plan view of the mixing bowl drum of  FIG.  27   . 
         FIG.  29    is a close-up view of the area denoted by dashed lines in  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  30    is a front elevation view of a mixing blade from the mixing bowl drum of  FIG.  27   , with an anchor plate shown in dashed lines.  FIG.  30 A  is a front elevation view of another embodiment of a mixing blade, which is longer than the embodiment of  FIG.  30   . 
         FIG.  31    is another front elevation view of the mixing blade of  FIG.  30   , from a different angle, with the anchor plate shown in dashed lines.  FIG.  31 A  is another front elevation view of the mixing blade of  FIG.  30 A , from a different angle, with the anchor plate shown in dashed lines. 
         FIG.  32    is a cross-sectional view of the mixing blade from  FIG.  30   . 
         FIG.  33    is a perspective view of the mixing blade of  FIG.  30   . 
         FIG.  34    is a view taken along the  34 - 34  section lines of  FIG.  6   , illustrating the discharge gate and discharge chute. 
         FIG.  35    is a perspective view of the discharge chute of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   , with the top hatch gate opened, and the side wall removed to illustrate the interior of the discharge chute. 
         FIG.  36    is a perspective view of the discharge chute of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1    on its side so the bottom of the chute is seen. 
         FIG.  37    is a rear elevation view of the discharge chute of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  38    is a section view close up of the hinge of the top hatch gate of the discharge chute of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  39    is a top plan view of the discharge chute of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   , with the top gate hatch removed. 
         FIG.  40    is a bottom plan view of the discharge chute of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  41    is a side elevation view of the discharge chute of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  42    is a front elevation view of the discharge chute of the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   , with the side wall removed to illustrate the interior. 
         FIG.  43    is a top plan view, partially in section, of a moveable blade for the batch seed coating device of  FIG.  1   , with the blade in a discharge position. 
         FIG.  44    is a top plan view, partially in section, of the moveable blade of  FIG.  43    with the blade in a recirculating position. 
         FIG.  45    is a side elevation view, partially in section, of the moveable blade of  FIG.  43    with the blade in the discharge position. 
         FIG.  46    is a side elevation view, partially in section, of the moveable blade of  FIG.  43    with the blade in the recirculating position. 
         FIG.  47    is a view taken along the  47 - 47  section lines of  FIG.  6   , illustrating the discharge gate, discharge chute, and the moveable blade of  FIG.  43    in both the discharge (dashed lines) and recirculating positions (solid lines). 
         FIG.  48    is a perspective view of the moveable blade of  FIG.  43    with the blade in the discharge position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims. 
     A seed includes an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering. The formation of the seed is part of the process of reproduction in seed plants. Seed plants dominate biological niches on land, from forests to grasslands both in hot and cold climates. Seeds are also used in agriculture, to plant various crops in open fields. The term seed also has a general meaning that antedates the above—anything that can be sown, e.g. “seed” potatoes, “seeds” of corn or sunflower “seeds”. In the case of sunflower and corn “seeds”, what is sown is the seed enclosed in a shell or husk, whereas the potato is a tuber. Many structures commonly referred to as “seeds” are actually dry fruits. Plants producing berries are called baccate Sunflower seeds are sometimes sold commercially while still enclosed within the hard wall of the fruit, which must be split open to reach the seed. Different groups of plants have other modifications, the so-called stone fruits (such as the peach) have a hardened fruit layer (the endocarp) fused to and surrounding the actual seed. Nuts are the one-seeded, hard-shelled fruit of some plants with an indehiscent seed, such as an acorn or hazelnut. 
     Seed germination and subsequent plant growth may be stimulated in various ways. Plants may be inoculated in a variety of ways, including indirect methods and direct methods. Indirect methods include mixing the inoculant into planting and germination mixtures or seed priming media, or applying the inoculant to aboveground portions of plants. Direct methods include inoculating the seeds—coating seeds of the plant with an inoculant or inoculants. Direct application of active ingredients to seeds may allow for a reduction, relative to indirect application, in the amount of treatment composition that would otherwise be required to be applied to soil after or during planting. Post or pre-planting soil treatment applications (indirect methods) may have disadvantages relative to seed coating (direct methods). Soil treatments may not penetrate the soil to a sufficient level or location where such may be effective, and such may be whether dependent, and otherwise not as economical as direct seed application (seed coating). 
     In some cases, inoculants or other active agents may be mixed in downstream or upstream methods. On-farm or on-site downstream methods may involve the farmer or gardener mixing the inoculant and the seed together by hand or batch mixing before or during seed loading into the planting equipment. Alternatively, pre-inoculation upstream techniques may be used where the seeds are prepared by a manufacturer or other upstream party. 
     Seed inoculation—also known as seed coating—is a technique used to as an aid to improve one or more of seed appearance, handling characteristics, active compound delivery, and germination. Seed coating includes the application of ingredients such as a binder (such as an adhesive polymeric liquid), filler or carrier medium (for example a powder), and active ingredient or active ingredients (sometimes called inoculants, for example beneficial microorganisms). In some cases, one or more of the binder, filler, and active ingredient function as two or more of the binder, filler, and active ingredient. Active ingredients may include, but are not limited to, fertilizers, fungicides, nutritional elements, moisture agents, plant growth regulators, and pesticides, which are applied onto the exterior surface of the seeds. Seed coating may improve stress resistance, improve disease resistance, accelerate germination, promote seedling formation, and otherwise increase yield and improve crop quality. Once seeds are sown into the soil, the agents that coat the seeds may absorb water and release, providing the seeds with a good germination environment and suitable seedling growth conditions. Some coatings may be selected to have a controlled release effect, to release slowly over time to provide the seed with a steady supply of the active ingredient(s) present in the coating as needed by the seed. 
     Seed coating may provide a film coating on the seeds, along with a filler such as a powder that contains the desired active agent or agents. In some cases, the filler/powder containing active agents may be mixed prior to application to ensure proper mixing with the binder, and thus even application of the agents. In some cases, the binder is applied first to the seed exterior, followed by application of the active agent and any filler thereafter to the wet coating around the seed. In some cases, an assembly line application, manual application, or cyclic oscillatory device may be used for coating application. 
     A seed coating machine may be used to apply the seed coating. Various machines for treatment of seeds in batch or continuous treatment mode are known. An efficient method of batch treatment may include a device that calculates the amount of treatment dispersed using the relative flow rate of the seeds or batch size of seeds through the machine. Some batch methods include a stir-pot application. In some cases of batch mixing, a device may use a barrel or drum in which seeds and a coating is applied, with some form of rotating arm to stir or mix the solution with the seeds, and/or the device itself may oscillate or rotate to ensure uniform coating. Coating applications may also be carried out via a continuous process, such as via a conveyor belt application or a spray unit application. In some cases what is termed a continuous batch mixing method is used, where a batch mixing technique is leveraged to produce a relatively continuous flow of coated seeds, albeit in a series of batches. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9   , a batch seed coating device  10  is illustrated. The device  10  may comprise a part that dispenses seeds, a part that dispenses seed coating, a part that mixes the seeds and seed coating, and a part that discharges the coated seeds, although some embodiments disclosed herein may have one or more of the foregoing parts. Referring to  FIGS.  7 - 9   , the device  10  may comprise a housing  12 , such as a drum as shown, that forms a seed mixing bowl  11 . Referring to  FIGS.  8  and  9   , a stirring part, such as a mixing table  18 , may be mounted to stir, about a rotational axis  18 J (Figs. Referring to  FIG.  28   , in use the mixture of seeds  52  and seed coating  54  may be mixed within the interior  12 I in a direction  18 K of stirring rotation around the rotational axis  18 J. A controller  36  may be connected to operate any one or more aspects of the device  10  or subsystems. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9  and  27 - 28   , the housing  12  may have suitable characteristics. In the example shown a vertical mixing drum is shown, although horizontal, tilted (such as similar to a concrete mixer), and other drum orientations may be used. The housing  12  may have a cylindrical side wall  12 B, although in other cases two, three, four or more walls may be used, in addition to other more complex shapes. The housing  12  may be open topped or may have a top wall or roof  12 A. The housing  12  may be open bottomed or may have a base  12 D. The cylindrical side wall  12 B may define a central axis  12 J, which in the example shown is coaxial with the axis  18 J. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7 - 9   , the housing  12  may have a suitable stirring part. In the example shown a rotary mixing table  18  is present in interior  12 I. The rotary table  18  may form an inner bowl that nests within the seed mixing bowl  11 , for example that nests within a catch basin  13 . Basin  13  may be nested within and anchored to interior surfaces of the side wall  12 B above the base  12 D within interior  12 I. A power source may be provided to rotate the stirring part, for example a motor  24  with a suitable power transfer such as a gearbox or transmission  26  may be provided to turn table  18 . Table  18  may be mounted for rotation within the housing  12 , for example a drive shaft  18 E of table  18  may be mounted one or more bearings such as bearings  46  and  50  in base  12 D and basin  13 , respectively. The basin  13  may have tapered side walls  13 B, which may be sloped down toward a base  13 D with decreasing radial distance from side wall  12 B. The table  18  may be mounted over or on a top surface  13 A of basin  13 . The table  18  may have tapered side walls  18 B, which may be sloped down toward a base  18 D with decreasing radial distance from side wall  12 B. A top bowl surface  18 A may be defined on the table  18 , for conveying seeds  52  and seed coating  54  to rotate within the housing  12 . The stirring part may comprise various flutes or paddles or blades, to convey rotational motion. The stirring part may comprise various arms or other parts to achieve its function. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7 - 9  and  27 - 29   , the housing  12  may incorporate a plurality of mixing blades  28  to facilitate mixing within interior  12 I. Referring to  FIG.  28   , the plurality of mixing blades  28  may be angularly spaced around the interior  12 I of the housing  12 , for example at relative angles  28 H′ and  28 H″ defined about axis  12 J of the housing  12 . A leading face  28 E of each mixing blade  28  may be angled inward to direct the mixture, for example slurry, radially inward. By directing the mixture radially inward as the mixture rotates (for example under the compulsion of a stirring part such as table  18 ), the mixture remains dynamic with seeds moving over seeds and contacting seed coating for efficient coating application. The leading faces  28 E may be angled radially inward (toward the center axis  12 J) along a direction  18 K of rotation about the rotational axis ( 12 J or  18 J) to in use direct the mixture radially inward. Relative to a system that incorporates blades  28  mounted radially (ninety degrees relative to side wall  12 B), blades  28  that define the relatively softer angles shown may reduce back pressure in the stirring mixture, which may reduce damage to the seeds. Referring to  FIGS.  28  and  29   , the angles  28 G defined may be obtuse angles when measured from a theoretical circumference of rotation (for example shown by the interior surfaces of the side wall  12 B) defined about the rotational axis  12 J. The leading face  28 E is understood as the face that faces or leads into the flow of the mixture about the direction of rotation. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  27 - 33   , the blades  28  may incorporate suitable characteristics. In some cases, the blades  28  are made of rigid material, such as metal, while in other cases the blades  28  may be formed of flexible or resilient material such as polymeric materials. The mixing blades  28  may have a suitable shape. For example, the blades  28  may be tapered with increasing distance from the cylindrical side wall  12 B in a direction toward a top wall or roof  12 A (not shown) of the housing  12 . To illustrate the tapering, the images shown a blade  28  that has a tapered base edge  28 B that extends from a base end  28 I toward a top end  28 A. An inner edge  28 C with a relatively non-tapered zone may be present, for example between the edge  28 B and top end  28 A. The corners between adjacent edges may be beveled as shown, for example to reduce the potential for damage to the seeds during use. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  27 - 33   , the blades  28  may anchor to the interior surfaces of the side wall  12 B of housing  12 , for example using anchors, such as anchor plates or arms  28 F. Each anchor arm  28 F may be extended from a rear face  28 L or outer edge  28 D of the mixing blade  28 . The anchor arms  28 F may be secured to a side wall  12 B of the interior of the seed mixing bowl, by a suitable mechanism such as by fasteners  29  passed through respective slots  28  in each bar or blade  28 . The anchor arms  28 F may be arcuate or planar, or other suitable shapes. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  30 - 31  and  30 A- 31 A , different configurations of blades  28  may be used. Different sizes and shapes of blades  28  may be used. The blades of  FIGS.  30 A and  31 A  may be shorter than the blades  28  of  FIGS.  30  and  31   . In some cases blades  28  of relatively different lengths and dimensions are used in the same device  10 , as such may increase the efficiency of the mixing process. Referring to  FIG.  8   , different relative angular spacings may be used, leading to relative angles  28 H′ and  28 H″ that differ from one another in the same housing  12 . Different angles  28 G of advancement may be used among blades  28  in the same housing  12 . Differences in angles, shape, and position may increase efficiency of the mixing process. Referring to  FIGS.  7 - 9  and  27   , each blade  28  may be mounted at a suitable location within interior  12 I of housing  12 . For example, each blade  28  shown is mounted so that the base end  28 I is above the table  18 , as well as above the tapered side walls  13 B and  18 B of the basin  13  and table  18 , respectively. In some cases, the blades  28  may reduce mixing time relative to a process that does not incorporate blades  28  or incorporates radially oriented blades  28 . In some cases, mixing times may be cut in half or more. A reduction in residence time within the housing  12  while being stirred puts less force on the seeds, reducing the potential for seed damage. Often times when a seed is damaged it will be useless, such as is the case with raw peanuts that break in half. A reduction in mixing speed and stirring time also reduces power requirements. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9   , the device  10  may have a suitable system for supplying seeds to the housing  12 . In a batch treatment the amount of seed treatment provided to seeds may be determined by the weight of seeds, for example, X volume of treatment fluid for Y weight of seeds. A useful measurement to determine the amount of treatment required, as well as controlling the rate of coating, may be based on a calculation or estimation of the total surface area of the seeds. In some cases, one or more of volume, weight, seed counting, or other suitable methods may be used to measure out a sufficient charge (predetermined level) of seeds to supply to the housing  12 . The weight of the seeds may vary with humidity and other factors whereas the volume of seed correlates more directly with the surface area of the seed. In some cases, a seed supply system such as incorporating hopper  14  may dispense plural charges into the housing  12  during a coating process or prior to a coating process to make up a sufficient seed level in the housing  12  for a coating process. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9   , in the example shown, a weigh bucket, such as a scale hopper  14  may be provided. A weigh bucket may incorporate a weight sensor to assist in measuring a predetermined charge of seeds to dispense into the housing  12 . Referring to  FIGS.  21 - 26   , a weight sensor may incorporate a pressure transducer or other sensor, for example on or in or associated with an actuator  15 B that operates a seed discharge gate assembly  15 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9   , in use, the seed mixing bowl (housing  12 ) may be connected to receive seed from the weigh bucket. The scale hopper  14  may be suspended above the housing  12 , or otherwise in a position where seed may be dispensed from the hopper  14  into the housing  12 , such as via a conduit (not shown). In the example shown the scale hopper  14  mates with the roof  12 A of housing  12  to provide the hopper  14  with direct access to the interior  12 I of housing  12 . The hopper  14  may secure, for example by fasteners or welding or other suitable mechanisms, to roof  12 A. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  21 - 26   , the hopper  14  (weigh bucket) may have suitable parts: the hopper  14  may have one or more side wall, such as four side walls  14 B as shown. The hopper  14  may have a suitable shape, such as a rectangular box, although other shapes may be used such as that of a cylinder, or a structure whose cross-section is that of a polygon, a triangle, or a trapezoid. The hopper  14  may be structured to receive seed from a seed supply source, for example via one or more openings, such as an open top end  14 A. In other cases, the top of the hopper  14  may be closed or have a gate over the opening. The hopper  14  may form a duct that conveys seeds from a seed supply source to the housing  12 , for example through an interior  14 I along a path defined by a hopper axis  14 J. A peripheral flange  14 M may line top end  14 A, for example for reinforcement or other purposes. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  21 - 26   , a suitable mechanism may be provided for discharging seeds from the weigh bucket hopper  14  into the mixing bowl housing  12 . A discharge gate  15 A may be provided for such a purpose. Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  26   , the discharge gate  15 A may be structured to swing down and up relative to an open base end  14 D of the weigh bucket hopper  14 .  FIG.  9    illustrates a closed position where the gate  15 A is swung up, for example to converge with a base flange  15 F of the assembly  15 . By contrast,  FIG.  26    illustrates an open position where the gate  15 A is swung down, for example to diverge away from a base flange  15 F of the assembly  15 . Other mechanisms may be used to dispense seeds from the weigh bucket into the housing  12 , for example the weigh bucket may be structured to rotate to dump the seeds out of the top or another opening in the weigh bucket. In some cases, the bucket does not incorporate a weight sensor. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  21 - 26   , the discharge gate assembly  15  may have suitable parts for operation. In the example shown the assembly  15  is structured to fit over or onto or into the open base end  14 D of hopper  14 . The assembly  15  may have a peripheral flange  15 F, which in the example shown fits over the base end  14 D, with side walls  15 G that fit part way up the side walls  14 B. Referring to  FIGS.  24  and  25   , base flange  15 F defines a discharge opening  15 I, over which the gate  15 A moves to cover or uncover the opening  15 I. Referring to  FIGS.  21 - 26   , the gate  15 A may form a flap as shown, such as a planar plate that swings. The gate  15 A may be pivotally connected at a mounting end  15 A- 1  to the hopper  14  (assembly  15 ) via a hinge  15 D, the mounting end  15 A- 1  opposite a discharge or leading end  15 A- 2 . One or both the hopper  14  and assembly  15  may be structured to funnel seeds toward opening  15 I, for example assembly  15  may include guide parts such as downwardly sloped ramps  15 H to direct seeds into opening  15 I. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  21 - 26   , one or more actuators  15 B may be connected to open and close the gate  15 A. In the example shown the actuators  15 B are mounted within respective cavities defined under the ramps  15 H. In other cases, actuators  15 B are mounted outside the hopper  14 , for example to the side walls  14 B or underside of hopper  14 . Referring to  FIG.  26   , the actuators  15 B may be mounted to interior surfaces of a rear wall  14 B- 2  opposite a front wall  14 B- 1 . Referring to  FIGS.  24 - 26   , the actuators  15 B may connect to gate  15 A at or near mounting end  15 A- 1 , for example by connecting to respective cam brackets or arms  15 E at mounting ends  15 A- 1 . In the example shown the actuators  15 B are extended to put the gate  15 A in the closed position, and the actuators  15 B retract to pull the cam arms  15 E and rotate the gate  15 A into the open position. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  21 - 26   , the hopper  14  may be structured to dispense seeds into the housing  12  in a way that minimizes or avoids seed damage. In some cases, it may be advantageous to structure the discharge to increase the chance that discharged seeds land on seeds, rather than on hard surfaces of the housing  12 . For example, it is advantageous to have peanuts landing on peanuts. The gate  15 A may be structured as a horizontal or laterally oriented door, that swings down slowly or gradually to release seeds so that initial seeds are lowered slowly into the flow of seeds in the housing  12 , with the balance of the seeds landing on other seeds that are already revolving. A conventional approach is to dump the seeds quickly and directly straight down or into the center of the machine, although such may increase the change of damages the seeds, as well as other parts of the device  10  such as the rotating disc or other coating dispersion device  20  (shown as a rotor in  FIGS.  7 - 9   ) or associated components, bearings, or other internal parts. In one case the gate  15 A is operated to move less than sixty degrees between open and closed, for example forty-five degrees or less. In some cases, the gate  15 A is structured to open to a maximum of sixty degrees off horizontal while dispensing seeds. The gate  15 A may be structured to form a chute. The discharge gate  15 A may be structured to direct discharged seeds laterally out of the weigh bucket hopper  14  for example laterally and downwardly. The gate  15 A may be operated to swing down sufficiently slowly that the entire charge of seeds contained within interior  14 I is discharged before reaching the open position. The gate  15 A may be positioned to direct the seeds laterally toward the side wall  12 B of the housing  12 , as during rotation of the mixture in the housing  12  the seeds therein will collect around the side wall  12 B thereby increasing the chance of seeds landing on seeds. The discharge gate  15 A may form a scoop, for example with side walls (not shown). Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9    a controller  36  may be connected to operate the gate  15 A, for example to initiate gate  15 A to discharge at a controlled rate when desired to do so (for example when a full charge is received by hopper  14 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9 ,  11 - 20 , and  26   , a seed scale fill system may be provided, for example incorporating a fill hopper  16 . The scale fill system may be provided to fill a weighing or measuring system, such as the weigh bucket hopper  14 , although in some cases hopper  16  or a structure made with the same principles and parts may be provided to dispense seeds directly into the housing  12 . The fill hopper  16  may have one or more side walls  16 B, for example front, rear and lateral walls  16 B- 1 ,  16 B- 2 , and  16 B- 3 , respectively. The hopper  16  may define a seed discharge opening  16 D, such as an open base end as shown (with the term open base end or open end/open top referring to a structure that defines an opening irrespective of whether a gate is associated with the opening and in a closed or open position). In other cases, the opening may be a lateral opening, such as in a side wall  16 B. A suitable gate, such as an articulating gate  17  or gate assembly, may be provided for opening and closing the opening  16 D. In use the weigh bucket may be connected to receive seeds from the seed discharge opening. The hopper  16  may have a peripheral flange  16 K at its top end  16 A. Seeds may travel through hopper  16  along a central axis  16 J defined by hopper  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 20   , the articulating gate  17  may be structured to move through a range of positions including open, closed, and one or more intermediate, positions to provide different discharge flow rates. The articulating gate  17  may be movable between: a closed position ( FIGS.  14 - 15   ), an open position ( FIGS.  14  and  19 - 20   ), and a trickle position ( FIGS.  16 - 18   ). In use, seeds may be supplied into the fill hopper. The articulating gate  17  may be manipulated into an open position ( FIG.  19   ) to pour the seeds into a weigh bucket. The articulating gate  17  may be manipulated into a trickle position ( FIG.  17   ) to meter seeds into the weigh bucket. The articulating gate  17  may thereafter be closed ( FIG.  15   ) when the weigh bucket is at a predetermined fill level. 
     Referring to  FIG.  15   , the gate  17  may be structured to reduce or avoid damaging seeds  52  that are contained within the hopper  16  or being transferred out of the hopper  16 . When in the closed position the articulating gate  17  may have sufficient clearance  56  from the fill hopper  16  to avoid pinch points. For example, a clearance  56  may be selected to be greater than an average diameter of seed  52  used in a process, for example equal to or greater (for example 5, 10, 15, or 20% greater or larger) than a maximum diameter of seeds transferred. Despite the clearance, the gate  17  may be structured to close without releasing seeds when in the closed position. For example, as discussed further below, the gate  17  may curl up at its terminal end to prevent seeds that pass through the clearance  56  from being discharged from the hopper  16 . Hopper  16  may be used a scale fill mechanism above the drum (housing  12 ) for measuring a next batch of seeds while a previous batch is mixing in the drum—such an approach is an example of continuous batching. A more conventional approach would be to use a pinch point creating door or claw, which fractures high value seed that becomes inadvertent stuck between the door and hopper. A vibratory feeder may be used to scale fill, although such may not achieve the same capacity as an articulating gate  17  system, which may achieve in a peanut coating application capacities of thirty tonnes per hour or more. The gate  17  shown functions as a scoop door that does not pinch, and whose finger tip/or wrist part allows a trickle speed to slow filling at the end of a measuring stage to permit a weigh scale to catch up and avoid loading errors due to in-flight effects (seeds that are in the air and have not been weighed but have technically been discharged into the hopper  14 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 20   , the articulating gate  17  may comprise a plurality of flaps pivotally connected together. The articulating gate  17  may comprise a first flap, such as a main door flap  17 A pivotally connected to the fill hopper  16 . For example, a mounting end  17 A- 1  of flap  17 A may pivotally connect to a side wall  16 B- 1  or another suitable location on hopper  16 . The gate  17  may comprise a second flap  17 D pivotally connected to the first flap  17 A. For example, a mounting end  17 D- 1  of flap  17 D may pivotally connect to a discharge or flap end  17 A- 2  of flap  17 A or at another suitable location on flap  17 A. The ends  17 A- 2  and  17 A- 1  may be opposite to one another as shown, so that the flaps curl up and down similar to the movement of joint of a finger. Three, four, or more flaps may be used in the gate  17 . The use of plural flaps permits a relatively wider range of intermediate positions between open and closed, which may be leveraged to provide a metering effect on the seeds within the hopper  16  to control flow. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 20   , the articulating gate  17  may be located at a suitable location on the hopper  14 . As above gate  17  may cover a seed discharge opening  14 D in an open base end of the hopper  14 , for example if the seed discharge opening is defined in a base of the fill hopper  14 . The first flap  17 A may be connected to swing down and up below the seed discharge opening to converge with and diverge from, respectively, the open base end. The second flap  17 D may be connected to swing down and up relative to the first flap. In the example shown each pivotal connection defines a pivot axis, for example plural pivot axes defined by the pivot points provided by hinges  17 K and  17 G, defined between the first flap and the fill hopper (hinge  17 K) and the first flap and the second flap (hinge  17 G). The plural pivot axes may be one or both parallel and horizontal, with both cases shown in the Figures. The flaps  17 A and  17 D are able to fold up and down in an articulating fashion as shown. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 20   , the gate  17  may be structured to assume a trickle position as desired. Referring to  FIG.  17   , the first flap  17 A may be closed or otherwise in a converged position to permit the trickle position to be configured. Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 20   , thus, in one case, the gate  17  may move between an open position is defined when the first flap is open ( FIGS.  14  and  19 - 20   ), the trickle position when the first flap is closed but the second flap is open ( FIGS.  14  and  16 - 18   ), and the closed position when the first flap and the second flap are closed ( FIGS.  14 - 15   ). Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 18   , the first flap  17 A may be pivotally connected to the first wall  16 B- 2 . When the first flap  17 A is in a converged position, the first flap  17 A may block the seed discharge opening  16 D except for a seed trickle gap (clearance  56  in  FIG.  15   ) defined between the seed discharge opening and the first flap. The seed trickle gap may be defined between the second wall  16 B- 1  and the discharge or flap end  17 D- 2 . Referring to  FIGS.  15 - 17   , as above the gap may be structured to permit lateral movement of the seeds through the seed discharge opening below the second wall when the second flap is open ( FIGS.  16 - 17   ). Thus, when the gate  17 A is converged as shown, and the flap  17 D is open, as shown in  FIG.  17   , trickling (metering) may occur. Trickling may refer to controlled metering. In some cases, in the open position seed flux may be reduced by seventy to ninety percent or more when in the trickle position relative to the open position. In other cases, a trickling position may be assumed when the main flap  17 A is not in a completely converged position, for example the flaps  17 A and  17 D may cooperate to define a trickle position without either or without one of them being in an extreme position in a range of relative pivoting motion. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 18   , the first flap  17 A may be structured to facilitate trickling when converged. As shown the flap  17 A may form a seed ramp that is sloped downward toward the flap end  17 A- 2  of the first flap  17 A. Thus, when converged (closed or trickle position), seeds will be drawn by gravity down the ramp toward the gap provided by clearance  56 . To facilitate such an effect, base edges  16 C of the third and fourth walls  16 B- 3  may be tapered downward toward the second wall  16 B- 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 18   , the second flap  17 D may cooperate with the seed ramp to close and open the trickle gap. When the first flap  17 A is in the converged position, the second flap  17 D may be movable between: open ( FIGS.  16 - 18   ) where the second flap permits the discharge of seeds, and closed ( FIGS.  14 - 15   ) where the second flap  17 D is sloped upward away from the flap end  17 A- 2  of the first flap  17 A to block the discharge of seeds. Such a configuration permits the closing the of the gate  17  without pinching the seeds. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 20   , the flaps or one of them may form scoops to control discharge. A scoop may have a base, such as a plate (identified as the parts of the flaps that are identified directly by reference characters  17 A or  17 D), and upright side walls. The first flap  17 A may form a scoop with upright side walls  17 C. Walls  17 C may have a suitable shape, such as that of a rounded triangle to cooperate with side walls  16 B- 3  to provide a continuous conduit when in the open position ( FIGS.  19 - 20   ). Side walls  17 C may cover over exterior (shown) or interior surfaces of the hopper  16 , although exterior coverage as shown may be less damaging to seeds within the interior  16 I of the hopper  16 . The second flap  17 D may form a scoop with upright side walls  17 E. Similar to walls  17 C, walls  17 E may cover exterior (shown) or interior surfaces of the walls  17 C, although exterior coverage as shown may be less damaging to seeds within the chute provided by the seed ramp of gate  17 A. Scoop shapes cooperate to direct seeds to exit the gate  17 A via a discharge end  17 D- 2  of the flap  17 D, for example to corral the seeds for lateral exit of hopper  16  toward side walls  12 B of the housing  12  or to side wall  14 B of hopper  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 20   , one or more actuators may be used to operate the flaps. One or more actuators  17 B- 1  may be connected to pivot the first flap  17 A relative to the fill hopper  16 . Actuators  17 B- 1  may be mounted to a suitable location on hopper  16 . In the example shown, actuators  17 B- 1  are mounted to an underside of flange  16 K, for example via brackets  16 M, although such could be mounted on side walls  16 B or to the top or bottom of the hopper  16 . Actuators are shown mounted at or near the rear wall  16 B- 2 , which is the same wall where the trickle gap is defined and opposite the wall  16 B- 1  where the gate  17  is mounted to pivot from. The actuators  17 B- 1  may connect to gate  17 A at a suitable point, such as closer to the mounting end  17 A- 1  of gate  17 A, for example via brackets  17 F on side walls  17 C or at another suitable location on gate  17 A. In the example shown, by extending actuators  17 B- 1 , a torque is induced on flap  17 A causing such to pivot downward to diverge from the opening  16 D. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 20   , one or more actuators  17 B- 2  may be connected to pivot the second flap  17 D relative to the first flap  17 A. Actuators  17 B- 2  may be mounted to a suitable location on hopper  16  or flap  17 A. In the example shown, actuators  17 B- 2  are mounted to an underside of gate  17 A, for example via brackets  17 I, although such could be mounted on side walls  16 B or to the top or bottom of the hopper  16 . Actuators are shown mounted near the front wall  16 B- 1 , which is the same wall where the gate  17  is mounted to pivot from. The actuators  17 B- 2  may connect to gate  17 A at a suitable point, such as closer to the mounting end  17 A- 1  of gate  17 A, for example via brackets  17 I op on side walls  17 C or at another suitable location on gate  17 A. Actuators  17 B- 2  may mount to an underside of flap  17 D for example via brackets  17 H, which are extended lever arms. In the example shown, by extending actuators  17 B- 2 , a torque is induced on flap  17 D causing such to pivot upward about flap end  17 A- 2  of gate  17 A to close. By contrast, a retraction of actuators  17 B- 2  will cause flap  17 D to rotate downward to diverge and open. By mounting the actuators  17 B- 2  on flap  17 A the operation of the flap  17 D may be made independent of the operation of flap  17 A. 
     Other systems may be used to provide seeds in a controlled fashion into the weigh bucket or housing  12 . Seeds may be deposited through a seed inlet, such as a hopper, into a metering portion that may be configured as a seed wheel. A seed metering wheel may include a rotating wheel and pockets of identical depth that are designed to be filled with a precise and identical amount of seeds in each pocket. Another variation of a scale filling system includes a continuous scale system for larger scale operations, and batch weighing hoppers for smaller scale operations. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9   , a controller  36  may be used to operate the gate  17 A. For example, controller  36  may be connected to operate the articulating gate  17 A and receive signals from the weight sensor (not shown). The controller  36  may be programmed to implement a discharge pattern of various positions for gate  17 A. For example, the controller  36  may be configured to operate the articulated gate  17 A to fill the weigh bucket to a predetermined seed fill level by carrying out various steps. Referring to  FIGS.  19 - 20   , the articulated gate  17 A may be diverged, for example manipulated into an open position to fill the weigh bucket with seeds from the fill hopper  16 . Referring to  FIGS.  16 - 18   , when the weigh bucket is between an intermediate seed fill level and the predetermined seed fill level, the articulated gate  17 A may be manipulated into a trickle position shown. Referring to  FIG.  15   , the controller  36  may be configured to operate the articulated gate  17 A by, when the weigh bucket is at or near the predetermined seed fill level, moving the articulated gate  17 A into the closed position. The fill level in the weigh bucket may be determined by suitable methods, such as by measuring weight in the bucket during filling, or by measuring volume or by measuring time assuming a particular flow rate, or using other sensor data such as that from a proximity sensor (not shown). By slowing to a trickle between an intermediate fill level (for example ninety percent full or more) and a full fill level, errors in filling from the time lag caused by sensor lag and drift from moving seeds is eliminated, leaving more accurate measurements to be made possible. In some cases, the controller  36  operates the gate  17 A to hold in the trickle position during filling, for example near the beginning or end of a fill cycle. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9  and  26   , the hoppers  14  and/or  16  may be supported in a suitable fashion. In the example shown, an upright structural frame or support stand  32  may be provided. The stand  32  may have ground engaging base members such as base beams  32 D. Beams  32 D may be hollow to define tine passages  32 G with suitable dimensions to receive fork tines  34 B of a pallet jack  34  or other machine structured to transport the stand  32  to a suitable location. Base beams  32 D may be structured to fit underneath the housing  12  to permit the stand  32  to be brought into close proximity with housing  12  for operations. An upright frame such as made with vertical columns  32 B may extend to a top end  32 A of the stand  32 . The stand  32  may support the hoppers by a suitable fashion, such as with lateral support aims  32 E and  32 F or one or both of them. Lateral support arms  32 E may be provided to support the scale fill hopper  16 , for example to fit under flange  16 K so that hopper  16  may rest upon the arms  32 E. In some cases, the hopper  16  may secure to (for example with fasteners or welding or other connection methods) the aims  32 E. Lateral support arms  32 F may be provided to support the scale hopper  14 . For example, the arms  32 F may mate with brackets  14 K on the exterior surfaces of side walls  14 B of hopper  14 , for example securing by a suitable method such as with fasteners as shown. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9  and  34 - 42   , a suitable coated seed discharge system may be used to discharge and collect coated seeds from housing  12 . In the example shown, a discharge chute  30  may be present over a discharge port  12 G in side wall  12 B of housing  12 . A gate  31  may be provided over the port  12 G to open and close the port  12 G as desired. Referring to  FIGS.  7 ,  28 , and  34   , during use a mixture of seeds and seed coating may be stirred within an interior  12 I of a seed mixing bowl in a direction  18 K of stirring rotation around an axis  12 J of the seed mixing bowl. When mixing is completed to a sufficient degree, or when it is otherwise desired, coated seeds may be discharged from the seed mixing bowl or mixer (housing  12 ). In such a case, the discharge gate  31 , if present, may be opened to permit seeds to exit the housing  12  through port  12 G. The mixture may continue to rotate or be stirred during discharge, for example to improve discharge by leveraging the circumferential force imparted upon the mixture via the stirring action. Coated seeds may be discharged using such rotational energy through discharge port  12 G in the cylindrical side wall  12 B into the discharge chute  30 . Coated seeds that enter the chute  30  may be collected or transferred to a further container such as a bucket (not shown) or ducting (not shown) in communication with the chute  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  34   , the discharge chute  30  may be structured to slow down and collect, by dissipating kinetic energy from, the moving seeds with minimal or no seed damage. Referring to  FIGS.  34 - 42   , in the example shown the chute  30  may have a side wall  30 B that is shaped, for example continuously around a seed chute pathway, to channel and slow-moving seeds. 
     Referring to  FIG.  34   , the side wall  30 B may include an arcuate leading interior wall  30 B- 1  shaped to direct coated seeds to move radially outward in a chute rotational direction  30 K that is opposite to the direction  18 K of stirring rotation. Thus, the leading wall  30 B- 1 , when viewed axially, for example from above or below the device  10  or along either axis  12 J or  30 J, has an arcuate shape, such as a circular shape that guides seeds around wall  30 B. The direction of rotation  30 K within the chute  30  may be defined about an axis  30 J, and the wall  30 B- 1  may follow a part of a circumference defined around that axis  30 J. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  34 - 42   , the chute  30  may have other suitable features or shapes. The wall  30 B- 1  may connect or level off into a planar side wall  30 B- 2 . Wall  30 B- 2  may extend to a rear wall  30 B- 3 . Walls  30 B- 1  to  30 B- 3  may be structured and dimensioned to avoid or minimize any seeds from contacting wall  30 B- 3 , so that by the time the seeds travel into chute  30  and run out of kinetic energy, falling to a base  30 D of the chute  30 , such seeds do not reach the rear wall  30 B- 3 . The rear wall  30 B- 3  may be opposite the arcuate leading interior wall  30 B- 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  34 - 42   , the base  30 D of the chute  30  may be suitably structured to collect and direct coated seeds. Base  30 D of the discharge chute  30  may be sloped downward moving radially outward from the cylindrical side wall  12 B of housing  12 , thus directing collected seeds by gravity along the base  30 D. A portion  30 D- 2  of the base  30 D of the discharge chute  30  may be sloped downward moving toward the arcuate leading interior wall  30 B- 1 , such that any coated seeds that make it near the rear wall  30 B- 3  may be guided downward away from the wall  30 B- 3 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  34 - 42   , the discharge chute  30  may have a suitable seed exit opening. For example, the discharge chute  30  may define a seed exit opening  30 B in a base  30 D of the discharge chute  30 . The opening  30 B may have a suitable shape, such as an arcuate ( FIG.  34   ) or rectangular ( FIG.  40   ) shape, or another shape. In the example shown the opening  30 B is located at the lowest point in the base  30 D, with the adjacent base portions shaped to funnel incoming coated seeds toward the opening  30 B. The opening  30 B may be covered by a gate (not shown) that can be opened or closed to collect and dispense coated seeds. In some cases, the opening  30 B is always open, and a container or conveyor (not shown) is located in use below the opening  30 B to collect coated seeds. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  35 - 42   , the chute  30  may have other suitable features. The chute  30  may have a roof  30 A, which may contain a top hatch or gate  30 E. The gate  30 E may be pivotally connected by a hinge  30 H. Referring to  FIG.  38   , the gate  30 E may be spring loaded into a closed position, with hinge  30 H shown in cross section. The chute  30  may be secured, for example by fasteners or welding or other connection mechanisms, to the housing  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 2 ,  6 - 7 ,  34 , and  40   , a gate  31  may be provided over port  12 G in side wall  12 B of the housing  12 . Referring to  FIG.  34   , the gate  31  may be shaped to follow the shape of the side wall  12 B, for example the gate  31  may have an inner concave (cylindrical in the example shown) wall  31 A that is flush with and continuous with inner surfaces of side wall  12 B of housing  12  to avoid interfering with the stirring operation of the contents of the housing  12  during seed coating. The gate  31  may have an outer convex side wall  31 B. A hinge  31 C may be provided, and for example may define an axis that is parallel with axis  12 J. Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 2 ,  6 - 7 ,  34 , and  40   , the device and chute  30  may be structured to facilitate automatic or actuated operation of the gate  31 . An actuator  48 E may be provided, for example mounted to a structural frame  40  of the device  10 , and connected to move the discharge gate  31  between an open and closed position (an example of the open position is only shown in  FIG.  34   ). The actuator  48 E may have a suitable drive connection to an axle  48 A that is mounted to rotate the gate  31  open and closed, for example via a servo lever arm  48 C or arms. The axle  48 A may be secured to the device  10  by a mounting guide  48 D (for example that may have one or more bearings) on the housing  12 . The gate  31  may be operated by the controller  36  to automate production, as may the stirring and injection of components. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  43 - 48    a batch seed coating device  10  may have a moveable mixing blade  28 . Referring to  FIGS.  43 - 47   , the mixing blade  28  may be mounted, for example to the cylindrical side wall  12 B of the housing  12 , to move within the interior  12 I of the seed mixing bowl  11  between a recirculating position ( FIG.  44   , and solid lines in  FIG.  47   ), and a discharge position ( FIG.  43   , and dashed lines in  FIG.  47   ). Referring to  FIGS.  44 ,  46 , and  47   , when in the recirculating position, the leading face  28 E of the mixing blade  28  may be angled to in use direct the mixture radially inward. While the blade  28  is in the recirculating position, the mixture of seeds and seed coating may be stirred in the bowl, with the leading face  28 E of the mixing blade  28  directing the mixture radially inward. Referring to  FIGS.  43 ,  45 , and  47   , when in the discharge position, the leading face  28 E may be angled to direct the mixture radially outward into the discharge port  12 G. The coated seeds may be discharged from the seed mixing bowl through the discharge port  12 G while the leading face  28 E is angled to direct the mixture radially outward into the discharge port  12 G. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  43 - 47   , the moveable mixing blade  28  may be re-positioned in use between the recirculating and discharge positions. At a suitable time, such as before, after, or during the initiation of the discharging stage, the mixing blade  28  may be repositioned from the recirculating position to the discharge position. The discharging stage may be initiated by a suitable event, such as the opening of a discharge gate  31  at a suitable point in a seed coating process. In some cases, the mixing blade  28  is mounted to or mounted to move with the discharge gate  31 , and in other cases is an independent assembly, which may or may not function in tandem with the assembly  15 . At a suitable time, such as before, after, or during the completion of the discharging stage, the mixing blade  28  may be re-positioned from the discharge position into the recirculating position. The embodiment illustrated may accelerate discharge, for example by speeding up the discharge and also improving the quality of mixing. The placement of the rotating mixing paddle may be in the door opening, for example the moveable mixing blade  28  may be mounted at or near a downstream end  12 G- 1  of the discharge port  12 G ( FIG.  47   ). While the treatment is being applied the seed may be folded towards the center by moveable blade  28 , providing rapid blending of seed in applications either dry or wet, and sweeping seed across the bottom of the rotor pan thereby scrubbing treatment overspray off of the rotor. When treating seed, the drum discharge door may be open, with the rotating mixing bar or blade  28  rotating a suitable amount such as 90° counterclockwise, assisting the seed to discharge much more rapidly, yet more gently then having the seed spin around for a longer period of time (as would be the case without blade  28 ) causing potential damage to the seed. By accelerating the discharge speed there may be an increase in the efficiency of the treater/coater device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  43 - 48    the moveable mixing blade  28  may be distinct from other mixing blades  28 , which may be fixed or moveable themselves. In other cases, the moveable mixing blade  28  may operate and/or be structured the same as the other blades  28 , for example if all blades  28  are moveable. In some cases, only one moveable mixing blade  28  is provided. In some cases, all blades  28  are fixed. 
     Referring to  FIG.  47   , the leading face  28 E may assume a suitable angle depending on position. As shown in solid lines, when in the recirculating position, the leading face  28  may be angled radially inward along a direction of rotation  18 K about the rotational axis  12 J. When in the recirculating position, the leading face  28 E of the mixing blade  28  may be oriented to form a suitable angle, such as an obtuse angle  28 G with a circumference of rotation defined about the rotational axis (for example shown by the interior surfaces of the side wall  12 B). An obtuse angle may be less damaging to rotating seeds than would be a perpendicularly angled blade. As shown in dashed lines, when in the discharge position, the leading face  28 E of the mixing blade  28  may be angled radially outward along the direction of rotation  18 K about the rotational axis. When in the discharge position, the leading face  28 E of the mixing blade  28  may be oriented to form a suitable angle, such as an acute angle  28 G′ with a circumference of rotation defined about the rotational axis (for example shown by the interior surfaces of the side wall  12 B). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  43 - 48   , the flap or moveable blade  28  may move via a suitable path or pattern. In the example shown, the blade  28  is mounted to rotate, for example about a blade axis (defined coaxial with rotating shaft  116 ) that is perpendicular to the rotational axis  12 J and defined within the interior  12 I. In such a case, re-positioning comprises rotating the mixing blade  28  about the blade axis. In the example shown, a mount such as a bracket  100  may be secured to side wall  12 B, for example via a mount weldment or plate  102 . The bracket  100  shown comprises upper and lower plates perpendicularly mounted to plate  102 . The bracket  100  may provide a frame  112  such as a shaft weldment to support and align the shaft  116 . The shaft  116  may secure via brackets  120  to the blade  28 , such as to a rear face  28 L of blade  28  so as not to interfere with the flow of the mixture in the interior. A shaft collar  114  may support and align the shaft  116 . The blade  28  shown is structured to rotate about the shaft  116 , however in other embodiments the blade  28  may move by a suitable path between positions, such as by one or more of translating, sliding, swinging, or by other complex movements such as rotating and sliding simultaneously or in stepwise fashion. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  43 - 48   , the moveable blade  28  may move by a suitable mechanism. A blade actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder  108 , may be mounted to move the mixing blade  28  between the discharge position and the recirculating position. The blade actuator  28  may comprise a linear actuator such as hydraulic cylinder  108 . A crank arm such as arm  113  may be acted upon by a clevis  110  or other lever manipulated by the actuator (such as driven by piston  118 ) to rotate the mixing blade  28  about shaft  116 . The actuator may mount to the device  10  by a suitable fashion, such as by a mount  106  secured to the plate  102 . Although shown as operating independently with the discharge gate  31 , in some cases the blade  28  and gate  31  may be connected to move together or in tandem. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9    the device  10  may have other suitable features. The device  10  may be mounted on a structural frame  40 , which may include one or more of columns  40 A, beams  40 B, and ground engaging members  40 C (in some cases pads, in some cases wheels or other members). Stirring motor  24  may be mounted to frame  40 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 10    the device  10  may incorporate a suitable method of supplying seed coating, such as via a seed coating injector  38 . The seed coating injector  38  may be configured to disperse seed coating onto seeds  52 . Seed coating may be mixed with seeds prior to or within housing  12 , although mixing within is shown in the figures. Referring to  FIGS.  7 - 10   , the injector  38  may comprise one or more such as a plurality of nozzles  38 A connected to a seed coating supply source, such as a tank, manifold, mixing station (for mixing plural components of seed coating), hopper, or other supply source. In the example shown the injector  38  is set up for injection of a liquid seed coating. An injection housing  38 B may extend into interior  12 I of housing  12 , for example through an injection port  12 E for example in roof  12 A. One or more fluid conduits  38 C may extend from one or more injection ports  38 E, which may be bussed within a manifold  38 D or kept separate if post injection mixing of plural coating components is used. In the example shown the nozzles  38 A are configured to inject seed coating into the seed mixing bowl. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 10    the device  10  may incorporate a suitable mechanism for dispersing seed coating within the interior  12 I of housing  12 . A coating dispersion device  20  may be used, for example incorporating a rotary disc  20 A mounted for rotation to housing  12 . In the example shown, the disc  20 A is driven through a drive shaft  20 B supported by one or more bearings  20 C and connected to a motor  22 . The operation of the motor  22  (and any accompanying power transfer such as via a gearbox or transmission) rotates the disc  20 A about an axis  20 J, which in the example is coaxial axes  20 J and  18 J. The disc  20 A may be oriented to receive and redirect spray from nozzles  38 A, for example to disperse sprayed seed coating about the housing  12 , or in the example shown in a fountain-like fashion where the coating sprays outward in a three hundred and sixty degree circumferential spray toward wall  12 B to contact seeds that are being stirred about such walls. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 9   , the housing  12  may incorporate various other mechanisms for mixing seed coating components with seeds within housing  12 . One or more ports  12 K may be located in the roof  12 A, for example for permitting visual inspection of the contents of the interior  12 I or for permitting addition of various components such as binders, fillers, seeds, or active ingredients. In some cases, liquid adhesive may be supplied via injector  38 , while one or more of solid or powdered fillers or active ingredients are supplied via ports  12 K. Any such additives may be measured prior to being poured or injected through ports  12 K, which may be in side wall  12 B in some cases. 
     Suitable adhesives may be used in the seed coating applied to the seeds. An adhesive polymer may be used, such as copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, poly (methyl vinyl ether) maleic anhydride copolymers, free acids of the copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride, vinylpyrroldone/styrene copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, vinyl acetate/butyl acrylate copolymers, vinyl acetate homopolymers, terpolymers, acrylic copolymers, styrene/acrylic estercopolymers, vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymers and polyvinyl acetate. Caseinate salts such as the sodium salt may be used. 
     Suitable fillers may be used in the seed coating applied to the seeds. The filler/carrier may comprise peat. Alternatively, vermiculite, clay, silt, graphite, talc, filter mud, coir dust, bagasse, composted corn cobs or coal dust may be used. The intermediate or carrier may be relatively finely divided, for example in powder form. Powdered particles capable of passing a screen of 200 mesh may be used, although particles smaller than 75 microns may be used, as may other sizes larger or smaller. These finely-divided powders may be effective, especially in the case of intermediates or carriers such as clays (particularly kaolin), graphite, or charcoal (particularly activated charcoal). Some mechanical interlocking between powdered bacteria and the powdery intermediate may occur, and the irregular jagged edges of the discrete powdery particles of the carrier or intermediate may contribute to a mechanical interlocking with the outer surface of legume seeds, particularly on microscopically irregular surface areas thereof, or such irregular surface areas thereof as, for example, the hilum area (although the entire surface of seeds is covered with a clinging dust coating of inoculant). 
     Suitable active ingredients may be used in the seed coating applied to the seeds. An inoculant may include soil or plant inoculants shall include any carrier or culture of a specific micro-organism or mixture of micro-organisms represented to improve the soil or the growth, quality, or yield of plants, and also any seed or fertilizer represented to be inoculated with such a culture. Inoculants may include substances manufactured, sold or represented for use in the improvement of the physical condition of the soil or to aid plant growth or crop yields. Inoculants may include a formulation containing pure or predetermined mixtures of living bacteria, fungi or virus particles for the treatment of seed, seedlings or other plant propagation material for the purpose of enhancing the growth capabilities or disease resistance or otherwise altering the properties of the eventual plants or crop. Inoculants may include any chemical or biological substance of mixture of substances or device distributed in this state to be applied to soil, plants or seeds for soil corrective purposes; or which is intended to improve germination, growth, quality, yield, product quality, reproduction, flavor, or other desirable characteristics of plants or which is intended to produce any chemical, biochemical, biological or physical change in soil. 
     Various microorganisms may be used as active ingredients. In some cases,  Rhizobium  (including  Bradyrhizobium ),  Pseudomonas, Serratia, Bacillus, Pasteuria, Azotobacter, Enterobacter, Azospirillum, Cyanobacteria, Gliocladium, Trichoderma, Coniotherium, Verticillium, Paecilomyces, Metarhizium,  mycorrhizal fungi and entomophilic nematodes may be used. Many microorganisms are known to exert beneficial effects on plant growth. Among these are the nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium species, which are symbionts of leguminous species. Azospirillum species, which are free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with the roots of grasses, are also now recognized for their plant growth-promoting qualities. Certain microorganisms may function in a number of ways to improve growth of the plants, to improve N and P status of plants or to control certain pests and diseases which affect plants. These organisms include bacteria of the genera  Rhizobium  (including  Bradyrhizobium ),  Pseudomonas, Serratia, Bacillus, Pasteuria, Azobacter, Enterobacter, Azospirillum,  and  Cyanobacteria,  (blue-green algae), fungi of the genera  Gliocladium, Trichoderma, Coniotherium, Verticillium, Paecilomyces, Metarhizium,  and mycorrhizal fungi, and entomophilic nematodes when present in the soil in the vicinity of the roots of particular plants. Certain thiazolylisoxazolines may be used as fungicides. After bacteria has been added, a small quantity of nutrient material (e.g., monoor di-saccharides such as sucrose, glucose, etc.) may be added to the active bacteria at this stage. Quantities of nutrient material sufficient to approximately equal the weight of the bacteria in the dormant state, or even larger quantities, may be used. 
     Various suitable seed coating machines and methods may be used. In some cases, a coating fluid may be applied whereby seeds are dispersed with a seed dispersing member. In some cases, a process may be used for dressing seed in which seed is guided over a dispensing cone through a jet of dressing and onto a rotary table. In some cases, a mixing bowl may be connected to a high speed, multi-turn actuator and a mechanism to feed seed into the mixing bowl. The bowl rotates to rotate seed being treated therein. The seed treating formulation is sprayed in the bowl while the seed is being rotated to uniformly coat the seed with the formulation. In some cases, a rotating brush may be used for dispensing the fluid. The brush may receive fluid that is hurled outwardly from the brush fibers by the centrifugal force provided by the rotation. In some cases, a rotating plate may be used for dispensing the fluid. The fluid may be poured on the plate and hurled outwardly by centrifugal force. Flutes may be included in the plate to increase the vertical distance in which droplets are hurled outwardly. In some cases, a drying mechanism may be used with a hot air feed that can reduce drying time as compared to a coating device without a hot air feed. In some cases, a mixer may include an open bottom for dispersing seed. In some cases, knives, scrapers or buffers of various shapes may be inserted in a mixing vessel in order to prevent the products to be coated from turning with the vessel. A suitable coating vessel may be of various shapes. Vessels of a spherical, cylindrical, ellipsoidal, flattened spherical, rectangular, polygonal or other shapes may be employed. The coating vessel may have a flat bottom and a side wall that are joined to each other by a fillet radius in order to make it easier to set the products to be coated in rotation. 
     The nature of the materials used to construct the coating vessels may depend on their use. Thus, coating vessels may be made of a metal such as stainless steel, of plastic or any other suitable material. In addition, the inner wall of the vessel may have been subjected to various treatments such as, in particular, a nonstick treatment such as, for example, a coating with polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride. Preferably the interior of the vessel should have only rounded corners. 
     Coating substances may be used that are in the form of powders, uniformly sprayed into the coating vessel during its rotation and to spray, using a gun, a binder or an adhesive which bonds the powder(s) to the products to be coated. Several growth-promoting mechanisms are known, which may influence the plant in a direct or indirect manner. 
     The systems and methods disclosed here may be used for the coating of suitable seeds, for example peanuts, and other large granular seeds will work, such as corn, soybean, peas, large diameter seeds. In some cases, the systems and methods create coated seeds that have an evenly applied coating, as uneven application of active agents may negatively affect germination rate. Suitable connections between parts may be used, such as hinges (including living and other hinges), connections through other parts using fasteners, using welding, adhesives, riveting, or other methods. Connections between parts stated to be at a particular location may be at or near that location unless context dictates otherwise. Various relative words are intended to be relative and not restricted to absolute values unless context dictates otherwise, for example front, rear, side, up, down, top, base, vertical, and horizontal are examples of words that are not to be taken absolutely unless context dictates otherwise. A hopper includes a device that can supply a product to another device. Suitable actuators may be used, such as hydraulic, screw, linear, or other actuators. A suitable controller may include one or more of a processor, a user interface such as a keyboard, a display, and a network connection. Referring to  FIG.  3   , the controller may be mounted on a swivel  150  or articulating arm, in order to pivot from a retracted, compact position (for example swung 180 degrees from the present position in  FIG.  3    to sit against a rear of the hopper fill system and/or pallet jack) to an extended, operating position (for example as shown). 
     In the claims, the word “comprising” is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles “a” and “an” before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.