Patent Abstract:
A seed depositing device designed to facilitate the uniform distribution of seeds during planting applications. The device includes a tubular outer shell having an open end and at least one opening along its length. An inner core is concentrically located in the outer shell and has at least one row of dimples along the length of an outer surface of the inner core for holding seeds. The inner core fits tightly enough in the outer shell to disallow free movement of the inner core within the outer shell. Rotation means is provided for manually rotating the inner core relative to the outer shell. The inner core is rotatable by the rotation means to align the at least one row of dimples with the at least one opening and expose the at least one row of dimples through the at least one opening. When the inner core is rotated so the openings of the outer shell are aligned with a row of dimples of the inner core, seeds are manually loaded into the exposed row of dimples through the openings of the outer shell. Each row of dimples is successively loaded in like manner until all dimples are loaded with seeds. A reversal of these steps is used to deposit the seeds onto a predetermined area.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    A seed depositing device is provided for use in the field of horticulture, for facilitating the handling and planting of seeds. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many people are increasingly concerned about the state of the environment and the nutritional value of foods produced by big agri-business. As part of this awareness and in an effort to make the environment a better place to live, many of these people are switching to organic and local food. Gardening has gained in popularity as a result. This horticultural invention was designed to facilitate one area of the gardening process that can cause much frustration to both the busy urban backyard gardener and the horticulturalist working in small private and commercial nurseries—the handling, deposition and planting of seeds, especially small seeds. 
         [0003]    Working with seeds, many types of which are small and difficult to handle, can be an arduous task. Seeds can be difficult to manipulate and it can be strenuous on a gardener&#39;s body to spread them evenly along a furrow in a garden bed or distribute them evenly in soil flats. The challenge of planting seeds outdoors can be compounded by high winds, heat, rain and pests such as mosquitoes and black flies can further impede a gardener&#39;s work. 
         [0004]    Hand-held devices available in the marketplace, such as those provided under the trademarks “Professional Seeder”, “Seed Spoon®”, and “Seedmaster II®”, are being marketed to aid in the handling, deposition and planting of seeds but improvements to those devices are needed in order to overcome disadvantages associated with their use and/or handling. The seed depositing device of the present invention provides such an improvement by its ease of use, effectiveness and robust, simple design. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    [Gerry: To be inserted when claims have been approved and finalized. This portion is just a repetition of the claims written in sentence format and, thus, need not be separately reviewed by you—when the claims are approved I will add a summary that corresponds to the claims.] 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary seed depositing device in accordance with the invention, completely assembled and with a keycap in the open end. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an exemplary outer shell of the seed depositing device of  FIG. 1 , having a single row of equally spaced openings. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a further exemplary outer shell having a single row of equally spaced sets of openings. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a still further exemplary outer shell having two slit openings, separated by a bridge. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5   a  is a side view of an exemplary inner core of the seed depositing device of  FIG. 1 , having multiple rows of equally spaced dimples. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5   b  is a sectional view of the inner core of  FIG. 5   a  taken along line A-A. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a further exemplary inner core having multiple rows of equally spaced sets of dimples. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a still further exemplary inner core with a fixed cap. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a still further exemplary inner core having an extended core portion with a reduced diameter knob. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a still further exemplary inner core having multiple offset rows of equally spaced dimples. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10   a  is a longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary dual purpose keycap in position over the open end of the seed depositing device but showing only that part of the end of the seed depositing device to which this dual purpose keycap is fitted. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10   b  is a sectional view of the dual purpose keycap of  FIG. 10   a  taken along line B-B. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an exemplary keycap. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an exemplary cap. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side view of an exemplary cap configured for covering the extended core portion of the inner core shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a further exemplary inner core of the seed depositing device which is similar to that shown by  FIG. 5   a  but for which the hollow center extends through to one end of the inner core so as to provide an open end, and with a closure component included to close the open end. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a longitudinal sectional view of the inner core of  FIG. 14  showing the hollow center and closure component closing the end. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a top view of the inner core and closure component of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the closure component of  FIGS. 14-16 , shown in isolation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The seed depositing device  10  of the invention may be embodied or provided in the form of an implement, tool or apparatus for use in depositing seeds in a seed planting application. 
         [0027]    Preferred embodiments of a seed depositing device  10  in accordance with the invention are illustrated by the drawings. The device  10  is comprised of a tubular outer shell  5  having a single row of openings  6 ,  6   a  or  6   b  along its length, and a cylindrical inner core  15  fitted concentrically within the outer shell  5  and having rows of dimples  16 ,  16   a  or  16   b  along the length of an outer surface of the inner core  15  for holding seeds, whereby the dimples  16 ,  16   a  or  16   b  are alignable with corresponding openings  6 ,  6   a  or  6   b  by manually rotating the inner core  15  and outer shell  5  relative to one another. When so aligned, the dimples  16 ,  16   a  or  16   b  are exposed through corresponding openings  6 ,  6   a  or  6   b  and may be loaded with seeds or, if previously loaded with seeds, may deposit those seeds during the course of a seed planting application. The outer diameter of the inner core  15  is only slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outer shell  5  so that they fit together, concentrically, with sufficient resistance to rotation that the inner core  15  does not freely move or rotate in the outer shell  5 . 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment in  FIG. 1 , the outer shell  5  of the seed depositing device  10  has one row of openings  6  along its length. The openings  6  are equally spaced to match any one of several rows of correspondingly spaced dimples  16  along the length of the outer surface of the inner core  15 . In this particular embodiment, the outer shell  5  has a closed first end  2  and an open second end  3 . The inner core  15  is manually rotated relative to the outer shell  5  by means of a keycap  20  shaped for insertion through the open end  3  of the outer shell  5  and fitting into a receiving portion  25 , in the form of a groove, in a corresponding end  4  of the inner core  15 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows the outer shell  5  of  FIG. 1  in isolation, having one row of equally spaced openings  6 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  show other, alternative arrangements of openings  6   a  and  6   b , respectively, which might instead be used, as desired, for a given application. For instance, the outer shell  5  of  FIG. 3  has a row of a spaced sets of openings  6   a , to align with correspondingly shaped and arranged sets of dimples  16   a  (see  FIG. 6 ). And, for example, the outer shell  5  of  FIG. 4  has a row of slit openings  6   b  which are shaped and positioned to align with a row of dimples  16 ,  16   a  or  16   b  by rotating the outer shell  5  and inner core  15  relative to one another. A bridge  8  between the slit openings  6   b  is preferred to be included to strengthen the outer shell  5 . 
         [0030]    The outer shell  5  has an open end  3  for inserting the inner core  15  into the outer shell  5 . The opposite end  2  of the outer shell  5  is closed in the illustrated embodiments, in which the closed end  2  includes a hole  13  which may be used to facilitate the removal of the inner core  15  from within the outer shell  5 . 
         [0031]    In the illustrated embodiments the outer shell  5  is transparent. This enables the user to see the dimples in the inner core  15  below it and may make it easier for the user to align the openings in the outer shell  5  over the dimples on rotation of the inner core  15 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate the inner core  15  of the seed depositing device  10  of  FIG. 1  in isolation. Adjacent rows of equally spaced dimples  16  are positioned along the length of an outer surface of the inner core  15 . As stated, alternative dimple arrangements, such as the sets of dimples  16   a  shown in  FIG. 6  may alternatively be used with a correspondingly configured outer shell  5 , as desired, depending upon the intended planting application. 
         [0033]    The inner core  15  may be a solid piece or, alternatively, to reduce material costs and weight, may have a hollow center  18 . A cross-section taken along line A-A of  FIG. 5   a  is shown in  FIG. 5   b . The dimples  16  are depressions on the outer surface of the inner core  15  that do not penetrate to the hollow center  18 . The size, depth and spacing of the dimples can vary to accommodate different size seeds and/or having different desired spacing when planting. The outer surface of the inner core  15  includes a dimple-free portion  17  which is at least as wide as the openings  6  (or openings  6   a  or slit openings  6   b , as applicable), to provide a position where seeds will not be exposed and, so, are prevented from exiting the openings  6  of the outer shell  5  when the seed depositing device  10  is being transported or stored. 
         [0034]    Optionally, to provide more rows of dimples in a given diameter of inner core  15  and/or to reduce the diameter of the seed depositing device  10  without sacrificing the number of dimples  16  available for seeding, the inner core  15  may have offset rows of dimples  16   b , as shown in  FIG. 9 . This configuration of offset rows of dimples  16   b  is able to operate effectively in conjunction with an outer shell  5  having a row of slit openings  6   b , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0035]    As will be understood by the reader, various alternative configurations of dimples in the inner core  15  and openings in the outer shell  5  can be used depending on the type and size of the seed, the spacing required for the seed, and the preferences of the user, for a given application. 
         [0036]    To operate the seed depositing device  10 , the concentric inner core  15  must be able to rotate relative to the outer shell  5  when an appropriate rotational force is applied, so as to position one of the rows of dimples  16  of the inner core  15  into alignment with the openings  6  of the outer shell  5 . There are many alternative means of achieving this rotation. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, for example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 11 , rotation of the inner core  15  is accomplished by means of a keycap  20  having an insertion portion  21  and a gripping portion  22 . The insertion portion  21  is inserted through the open end  3  of the outer shell  5 . The insertion portion  21  of the keycap  20  has a key portion  26  that fits into a receiving portion  25  in the inner core  15 . In this example, the key portion  26  and receiving portion  25  function as a tongue-and-groove-type mating. This operates like a lock and key such that when the keycap  20  is inserted through the open end  3  of the outer shell  5  and the key portion  26  is fit into the receiving portion  25 , the inner core  15  can be manually rotated by a user by turning the gripping portion  22  of the keycap  20 . 
         [0038]    As will be understood by the reader, many alternative configurations of caps and similar components may be used, as desired, to achieve relative rotation of the inner core  15  and outer shell  5 .  FIGS. 10   a - 13  illustrate exemplary embodiments of caps which may be used to rotate the inner core  15  or to prevent the inner core  15  from rotating during transportation or storage of the seed depositing device  10 . For example, in an embodiment which employs a keycap  20  to rotate the inner core  15  when the seed depositing device  10  is in use, the keycap  20  could be replaced by a cap  30  as shown in  FIG. 12  during transportation or storage of the seed depositing device  10 . The cap  30  has an insertion portion  21  and a gripping portion  22 , but no key portion  26 , so in use the inner core  15  is not rotated when cap  30  is turned. 
         [0039]    To avoid the need for two caps in the foregoing embodiment, which switches between use of a keycap  20  and a cap  30 , for example, the embodiment of a dual purpose keycap  40  illustrated by  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  may be used. The dual purpose keycap  40  has a channel  50  into which the open end  3  of the outer shell  5  is inserted. The dual purpose keycap  40  also has an insertion portion  46  with a key portion  26  that fits into the receiving portion  25  of the inner core  15 . To engage the inner core  15 , the dual purpose keycap  40  is pushed into the open end  3  of the outer shell  5  and rotated until the key portion  26  of the dual purpose keycap  40  is mated with the receiving portion  25  of the inner core  15 . In this position the inner core  15  is rotated by gripping and turning an outer gripping portion  42  of the dual purpose keycap  40  to manually turn the dual purpose key cap  40 . In use, this is done until the outer shell openings  6 ,  6   a  or  6   b  have become aligned with the inner core dimples  16 ,  16   a  or  16   b . To disengage and close the device  10 , the dual purpose keycap  40  is rotated until the openings  6 ,  6   a  or  6   b  are aligned with the dimple free row  17  of the inner core  15 , and then the dual purpose keycap  40  is pulled outward from the open end  3  of the outer shell  5  until the key portion  26  of the dual purpose keycap  40  is disengaged from the receiving portion  25  of the inner core  15 . When disengaged, the dual purpose key cap  40  is, again, slightly rotated to locate it in a position where the key portion  26  will be prevented from accidentally re-engaging the receiving portion  25  of the inner core  15 . 
         [0040]    In a further exemplary embodiment shown by  FIG. 8 , the inner core  15  itself may be constructed to extend beyond the open end  3  of the outer shell  5 , to enable the inner core  15  to be rotated by manually rotating an extended portion  27  of the inner core  15 . Optionally, a cap  24  as shown by  FIG. 7  could be attached to and/or extend from the inner core  15  for use in manually rotated the inner core  15 . Additionally, an extension cap  35 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , may be provided to lock the position of the inner core  15  with extended portion  27  when the seed depositing device  10  is being transported or stored, to prevent the inner core  15  from turning accidentally. The extension cap  35  is placed over the extended portion  27  and around the outer shell  5 , with a pin  28  of the extension cap  35  fitting into a pin receiving portion  29  of the extended portion  27 , and with the extension cap  35  configured to fit tightly over the outer shell  5  so as to resist rotation. 
         [0041]    A further embodiment of the inner core  15  is shown by  FIGS. 14-17  in which a hollow center  18  is extended to the end  4  of the inner core  15 , so that the inner core end  4  corresponds to an open end  54  of the hollow center  18 , and the hollow center  18  may be used to store seeds, if desired. In this embodiment the inner core  15  is configured to receive a closure component  52  to close the open end  54  and prevent seeds stored in the hollow center from escaping. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner core  15  is threaded in the wall of the hollow center  18  at the open end  54  to receive a closure component in the form of a screw-in plug  52 . A slot  56  is provided in the top of the screw-in plug  52  for receiving a suitable tool to be used to screw in the plug  52 . 
         [0042]    The seed depositing device  10  is made of a non-flexible material such as hard plastic, wood, metal, plexiglass or fiberglass. A rigid plastic construction is preferred for its practicality and manufacturing cost. When plastic is used, the composition of the plastic should be of food grade if the seed depositing device  10  is intended to handle seeds for foods. It is preferable that the plastic be UV resistant if the seed depositing device  10  is intended for use in the outdoors, and recyclable, for safe environmental disposal. 
         [0043]    Selectable components, as desired, may be color coded to assist in product identification and content referencing (for example, the inner core  15  and/or caps  20 ,  30  and  40 ). 
         [0044]    The outer shell  5  is preferably a light colored, transparent plastic. This allows the user to see the seeds, yet also provides some protection for light sensitive seeds in the field or in storage. Alternatively, the outer shell  5  may be opaque, if desired, in order to better protect light sensitive seeds during longer storage periods for example. The inner core  15  and the caps  20 ,  30  and  40  are preferably made of a rigid opaque plastic for stability and durability. 
         [0045]    The length and diameter of the seed depositing device  10  can be chosen to accommodate the particular application, as desired, to promote practical, cost effective seed depositing. For example, larger diameter devices  10  could have an inner core  15  with increased rows of dimples  16 . Particularly in these larger diameter depositing devices  10 , the inner core  15  preferably has a hollow center  18  to reduce the weight and production costs, and to be more environmentally friendly. The diameter, depth and spacing of the inner core dimples  16  may be varied to accept and distribute size-specific seeds. The longer the cylindrical seed depositing device  10 , the more seeds can be loaded into the device  10 , and, the wider the diameter of the device  10 , the more rows of dimples  16  the device  10  can hold, thus increasing the seed coverage of the bedding area. 
         [0046]    To assemble the device  10 , the inner core  15  is inserted through the open end  3  of the outer shell  5 . Optionally, the inner core  15  may have a depression  12  that aligns with the hole  13  of the closed end  2  of the outer shell  5 , which may be used to provide further assistance to the user when removing the inner core  15  from the outer shell  5 . Depending on the embodiment, and whether the seed depositing device  10  is in use or in storage, a suitable cap may be placed on the open end  3  of the outer shell  5 , which then closes the unit. 
         [0047]    To load the seed depositing device  10  of  FIG. 1  with seeds, the inner core  15  is rotated through use of keycap  20  until a row of dimples  16  is aligned with the openings  6  of the outer shell  5  so as to expose that row of dimples  16 . Seeds are selected and manually placed into the empty, exposed dimples  16 . Once that row of dimples  16  is filled with seeds, as desired, the inner core  15  is again rotated until the next row of empty dimples  16  are aligned with the openings  6  of the outer shell  5  and, again, the empty, exposed dimples  16  are filled with seeds. This process is repeated until all of the rows of dimples  16  of the inner core  15  have been filled with seeds. The inner core  15  is then rotated until the dimple-free portion  17  of the inner core  15  is aligned with the openings  6  of the outer shell  5  in order to close the device. If the loaded seed depositing device  10  is to be stored, the openings  6  of the outer shell  5  should be positioned to rest at the dimple free area  17  of the inner core  15  and an appropriate storage cap (for example, such as cap  30 ) can be used. 
         [0048]    To plant the seeds stored in the seed depositing device  10 , the seeds are deposited into furrows of a garden bed or into cells of soil flats. This is done by holding the seed depositing device  10  with the row of openings  6  of the outer shell  5  facing away from the ground and rotating the inner core  15  to expose the seeds of a row of dimples  16  through the openings  6 . Place the seed depositing device  10  just above a furrow in a garden plot or align the seed depositing device  10  over a specific area on a soil flat, as the case may be, and slowly turn the device  10  to deposit the row of seeds. Then, move the seed depositing device  10  to its next length along the furrow or planting area and repeat the foregoing steps until the device  10  is emptied or the desired seed coverage has been achieved. These steps can be completed with relatively little effort and in a relatively short time. 
         [0049]    To clean the seed depositing device  10 , first remove any cap that may be on the open end  3  of the outer shell  5 . Insert a pin through the hole  13  of the outer shell  5  into the bottom depression  12  of the inner core  15  and push out the inner core  15  from the outer shell  5 . Once the components of the seed depositing device  10  have been cleaned and dried, the inner core  15  is reinserted into the outer shell  5  and, if desired position a cap into or onto the open end  3  of the outer shell  5 . 
         [0050]    The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and it will be understood by the reader that other embodiments, and variations of those described herein, are possible without departing from the invention. The embodiments described here are not intended to limit the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0