Patent Publication Number: US-2013228592-A1

Title: Container for segregating and blending multiple seed types

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/379,400, entitled “CONTAINER FOR SEGREGATING AND BLENDING MULTIPLE SEED TYPES ” filed Dec. 20, 2011, which is a National Stage filing of International Application Serial No. PCT/US2010/40776, entitled “CONTAINER FOR SEGREGATING AND BLENDING MULTIPLE SEED TYPES” filed Jul. 1, 2010, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/224,043, filed Jul. 8, 2009, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for blending multiple components of a mixture and in particular to the blending of multiple seeds in a seed mixture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     GMO (“genetically modified organism”) seeds have been developed which produce plants that are resistant to at least one of a particular type or family of pests or pesticides such as insects, fungi, insecticides, and herbicides. GMO seeds are often planted as part of a mixture including refuge seed. The refuge seed has not been genetically modified in the same way as the GMO seed and does not produce a resistant plant. 
     In some situations, the mixture of GMO seed and refuge seed is planted in an effort to prevent the insect population from becoming resistant to a particular type of plant produced by the GMO seed. Regulatory bodies such as the EPA help determine and regulate the ratio of refuge seed to GMO seed that must be planted to preserve the usefulness of the GMO seed. Growers may plant refuge seed separately from GMO seed or acquire premixed GMO and refuge seed from seed suppliers. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a container is provided which segregates at least two types of seed during storage and blends the at least two types of seed together when emptied from the container. In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided for blending at least two types of seed together. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for holding and delivering seed is provided. The apparatus including a container having a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment storing a first type of seed and the second compartment storing a second type of seed; and a gate moveably coupled to the container. The gate being moveable to a first open position permitting the first type of seed to empty from the first compartment and at the same time permitting the second type of seed to empty from the second compartment. The first compartment and the second compartment segregating the first type of seed from the second type of seed until the first type of seed and the second type of seed are emptied from the first compartment and the second compartment, respectively. In one example, the first compartment generally surrounds the second compartment. In another example, the apparatus further comprises a second container. The second container being removably coupled to the container and including the second compartment such that the second compartment is removable relative to the first compartment. In one variation, the second container includes an upper portion, the upper portion of the second container located relative to the first container with a plurality of support bars. The support bars coupling the upper portion of the second container to the first container. In another variation, the second container includes a lower portion. The lower portion of the second container being located by at least one supporting element of the first container. In yet another variation, the apparatus further comprises a lid. The lid configured to be coupled to the upper portion of the second container in order to limit access to the second compartment. The lid may be locked relative to the second container. The lid may include identifying indicia of the second type of seed. The identifying indicia may be a color of the lid. The lid may permit visual inspection of the second seed in the second compartment from an exterior of the second container. In another example, the first type of seed exits the first compartment through a lower portion of the first compartment and the second type of seed exits the second compartment through a lower portion of the second compartment. In a variation thereof, the first type of seed exits the first compartment and the second type of seed exits the second compartment in a generally constant ratio. The generally constant ratio may be about 95 to 5. In yet another example, the second compartment is contained by the first compartment. In a further example, the apparatus includes a region for receiving a tool for moving the apparatus. In a variation thereof, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of spaced apart feet which define the region for receiving the tool for moving the apparatus. In yet a further example, the gate is in contact with both the first type of seed in the first compartment and the second type of seed in the second compartment when the gate is in a closed position. In still a further example, the gate translates relative to the container to move to the first open position from a closed position. In a variation thereof, the gate translates in a single direction to move to the first open position from the closed position. The apparatus may further comprise spaced apart channel members which receive the gate and constrain a movement of the gate relative to the container. In still yet another example, the apparatus further comprises spaced apart channel members which receive the gate and constrain a movement of the gate relative to the container. In still a further example, the gate is moveable to a second open position, a first ratio of the first type of seed being emptied from the first compartment to the second type of seed being emptied from the second compartment when the gate is in the first open position is generally equal to a second ratio of the first type of seed being emptied from the first compartment to the second type of seed being emptied from the second compartment when the gate is in the second open position. In a variation thereof, the ratio of the first type of seed being emptied from the first compartment to the second type of seed being emptied from the second compartment when the gate is generally constant at all positions of the gate between the first open position and the second open position. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for holding and delivering seed is provided. The apparatus including a container having multiple compartments, each compartment holding a respective type of seed; and a gate for controlling the emptying of the respective types of seed from the container, the container and the gate cooperating to empty the respective types of seed in a generally constant ratio independent of a flow rate of the respective types of seed. In one example, the respective seed types for each of the multiple compartments empty through at least one opening in a lower portion of the respective compartment. In a variation thereof, the at least one opening for each of the multiple compartments defines a cross sectional area for the respective compartment, a ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the multiple compartments are defined in order to release a predetermined ratio of the types of seeds. The multiple compartments may include a first compartment holding a first type of seed and a second compartment holding a second type of seed, the first compartment including a plurality of openings in the lower portion of the first compartment through which the first type of seed is emptied. An opening in the lower portion of the second compartment may be positioned between a first opening of the plurality of openings in the lower portion of the first compartment and a second opening of the plurality of openings in the lower portion of the first compartment. The first compartment may have angled walls which direct the first type of seed towards the second type of seed upon exiting the container. The angled walls may extend to an upper portion of container. The angled walls may intersect with generally straight walls in a portion of the container between a lower portion of the container and an upper portion of the container. In another variation, he multiple compartments include a first compartment holding a first type of seed and a second compartment holding a second type of seed, the at least one opening of the first compartment being positioned around a plurality of sides of an opening in the lower portion of the second compartment. The plurality of sides may include opposite sides. The opening in the lower portion of the second compartment may be positioned between a first opening of the plurality of openings in the lower portion of the first compartment and a second opening of the plurality of openings in the lower portion of the first compartment. The first opening of the first compartment and the opening of the lower portion of the second compartment may be generally coextensive along a first direction. The first opening of the first compartment and the opening of the lower portion of the second compartment may be quadrilaterals. In another example, the generally constant ratio is a ratio of the first type of seed to the second type of seed and the generally constant ratio is 95:5. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for delivering a mixture of seed is provided. The method comprising the steps of: holding a first type of seed in a first compartment; holding a second type of seed in a second compartment; and emptying the first type of seed from the first compartment and the second type of seed from the second compartment at a generally constant ratio independent of a flow rate of the first type of seed and the second type of seed. In one example, the second type of seed is segregated from the first type of seed until the second type of seed and the first type of seed exit the first compartment and the second compartment, respectively. In a variation thereof, the first compartment and the second compartment are provided within an interior of a container. The first type of seed and the second type of seed may be emptied from the first compartment and the second compartment simultaneously. In another example, the generally constant ratio is a ratio of the first type of seed to the second type of seed and the generally constant ratio is 95:5. 
     In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for delivering a mixture of seed is provided. The method comprising the steps of: holding a first type of seed in a first compartment in an interior of a container; holding a second type of seed in a second compartment which is provided within the interior of the container; and emptying the first type of seed from the first compartment and the second type of seed from the second compartment at a generally constant ratio. In one example, the method further comprises the step of locking the second compartment to limit access to the second compartment. In another example, the step of emptying the first type of seed from the first compartment and the second type of seed from the second compartment includes the step of simultaneously opening a lower portion of the first compartment and a lower portion of the second compartment. In a variation thereof, the step of simultaneously opening the lower portion of the first compartment and the lower portion of the second compartment includes the step of moving a gate relative to the container, the gate and the container cooperating to close the lower portion of the first compartment and the lower portion of the second compartment when the gate is in a first position relative to the container. In a further example, the second compartment is provided in a second container positioned within the interior of the container. In still a further example, the generally constant ratio is a ratio of the first type of seed to the second type of seed and the generally constant ratio is 95:5. In yet still a further example, the method further comprises the step of blending the first type of seed and the second type of seed upon exiting the first compartment and the second compartment, respectively. 
     The above mentioned and other features of the invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These features can be used without exclusion in any combination or permutation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a container having an interior thereof separated into multiple compartments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates another perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the container of  FIG. 1  and a gate covering the respective openings of the multiple compartments of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the container of  FIG. 1  illustrating the respective openings of the multiple compartments of the container when the gate is closed; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of the container of  FIG. 1  illustrating the respective openings of the multiple compartments of the container when the gate is opened a first amount; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of the container of  FIG. 1  illustrating the respective openings of the multiple compartments of the container when the gate is opened a second amount; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the relative size of the multiple compartments of the container along lines  9 - 9  in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the relative size of the multiple compartments of the container along lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 4   
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. While the present disclosure is primarily directed to the blending of seeds which are stored in multiple compartments of a container, it should be understood that the features disclosed herein may have application to the blending of other components stored in multiple compartments of a container. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a container  100  is shown. Container  100  includes a front upstanding wall  102 , a rear upstanding wall  104 , a first side upstanding wall  106  and a second side upstanding wall  108 . Walls  102 - 108  cooperate to define an interior  110  of container  100 . Although container  100  is shown as being a four sided container, container  100  may have any number of sides, be generally cylindrical, be generally elliptical, or any other suitable shape. In one embodiment, container  100  is made of polyethylene. In one embodiment, container  100  is a collapsible container, such as the Center Flow Bulk Container available from Buckhorn located at 55 West TechneCenter Drive in Milford, Ohio 45150. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , container  100  also includes walls  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118  which are angled inward from an upper portion  120  of container  100  to a lower portion  122  of container  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in the illustrated embodiment, walls  112 - 118  are angled inward along their whole extend. In one embodiment, walls  112 - 118  are angled inward only for a portion proximate to lower portion  122  and generally straight for the remainder of walls  112 - 114 . In one embodiment, walls  112 - 118  intersect with walls  102 - 108  not at upper portion  120 , but rather in a middle portion of walls  102 - 108 . In either of these two cases the volume of interior  110  is increased. The angling of walls  112 - 118  assist in directing the seed in interior  110  towards an opening  140  (see  FIG. 5 ) of container  100  in a bottom wall  124 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a bottom wall  124  of container  100  is shown. Bottom wall  124  supports a gate  130  which is moveably coupled to bottom wall  124 . In the illustrated embodiment, gate  130  is slideably coupled to bottom wall  124  to permit gate  130  to move in direction  132  and direction  134 . An operator may grasp a handle  138  to aid in moving gate  130  in direction  132  and direction  134 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , in one embodiment, container  100  includes channel members  136  which support gate  130  and permit the movement of gate  130  in directions  132  and  134 . Channel members  136 , in one embodiment, are coupled to bottom wall  124 . Channel members  136 , in one embodiment, are integrally formed as part of bottom wall  124 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , an opening  140  is formed in bottom wall  124 . Material, such as seeds, being held in interior  110  passes through opening  140  when gate  130  is moved in direction  132 . Opening  140  is bounded by lower edges  142 - 148  of walls  112 - 118 , respectively. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , interior  110  is divided into a first compartment  150  and a second compartment  152 . Second compartment  152  is separate from first compartment  150 , such that seeds stored in first compartment  150  remain segregated from seeds stored in second compartment  152  while being stored in container  100 . 
     Second compartment  152  is formed by a container  160 . In the illustrated embodiment, container  160  is formed of walls  162 - 168 . Each of walls  162 - 168  are shown as angling inward from upper portion  120  to lower portion  122 . The angling of walls  162 - 168  assist in directing the seed in second compartment  152  towards an opening  170  (see  FIG. 5 ) of container  100  in a bottom wall  124 . Material, such as seeds, being held in interior  110  passes through opening  170  when gate  130  is moved in direction  132 . Opening  170  is bounded by lower edges  172 - 178  of walls  162 - 168 , respectively. In one embodiment, lower edges  172 - 178  are generally coplanar with lower edges  142 - 148 . 
     Container  160 , in the illustrated embodiment, is spaced apart from walls  112 - 118  at upper portion  120  of container  100 . The upper portion  180  of container  160  is generally secured in place with support bars  182 - 188 . In one embodiment, support bars  182 - 188  are releasably coupled to one of interior  110  and container  160  to allow the removal of container  160  from interior  110  of container  100  or the positioning of container  160  in interior  110  of container  100  prior to seed being introduced into interior  110  of container  100 . In an alternative embodiment, container  160  rests against at least one of walls  112 - 118 . Although container  160  is shown as being removable relative to container  100 , in one embodiment, container  160  is rigidly coupled to container  100  or integrally formed as part of interior  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , container  160  includes a lid  190  which may be secured to upper portion  180  of container  160 . Lid  190  includes cutouts  192  which receive supports  182 - 188 . In one embodiment, lid  190  is a tamper proof lid which may be locked relative to container  160  to limit access to second compartment  152 . In one embodiment, lid  190  is color-coded to indicate the type of seed being carried in second compartment  152 . In one embodiment, lid  190  is made of a material which allows visual inspection of the contents of second compartment  152  from an exterior of container  160 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , supports  200  are coupled to wall  112  and wall  114 . Supports  200  define channels  202  which receive and locate the end of container  160  corresponding to opening  170 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , supports  200  locate container  160  such that lower edge  172  generally coincides with lower edge  142  and lower edge  174  generally coincides with lower edge  144 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 9 , wherein opening  170  of second compartment  152  is shown to be generally coextensive with opening  140  of first compartment  150 . In contrast, along the orthogonal direction, as shown in  FIG. 10 , opening  170  of second compartment  152  is not coextensive with opening  140  of first compartment  150 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , as discussed above, the lengths of opening  140  and opening  170  are generally the same and the widths of opening  140  and opening  170  differ. By having the lengths the same, a ratio of the area of opening  170  to the area of opening  140  exposed by gate  130  when gate  130  is moved in direction  132  remains generally constant independent of the position of gate  130 . Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , gate  130  is shown in a closed position ( FIG. 6 ), a first open position ( FIG. 7 ), and a second open position ( FIG. 8 ). By opening gate  130  further in direction  132  a flow rate of the seed from first compartment  150  and second compartment  152  is increased. 
     The generally constant ratio of opening  170  to opening  140  being exposed results in the mixture of the seed being emptied from container  100  maintaining a generally constant ratio regardless of the position of gate  130 . In one embodiment, the ratio of seed from second compartment  152  to the seed from first compartment  150  being emptied from container  100  is about  5  to  95 . Of course the relative sizes of opening  140  and opening  170  may be adjusted to alter the ratio of the mixture of seed being emptied from container  100 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , container  100  includes a plurality of spaced apart feet  210 . Feet  210  are spaced apart to allow the arms of a forklift to be able to pass between feet  210  and to elevate container  100 . 
     Container  100  may be coupled to a planting device such that seed exiting container  100  is planted in the ground by the planting device. Exemplary planting devices include pull-behind planters, drills, and other suitable planting devices. In one embodiment, since the ratio of the first type of seed exiting a first compartment of the container  100  and a second type of seed exiting the second compartment of the container is generally constant, the ratio of the first type of seed to the second type of seed planted by the planting device is generally constant. 
     While this invention has been described as relative to exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.