Patent ID: 8313053

Claim:
A system for preparing a representative seed sample for analysis, said system comprising: a receiving station configured to receive a seed container having at least one isolated compartment, each isolated compartment containing a seed; a seed breaking station comprising a force applying mechanism that is configured to move a force applying member into contact with the seed in the isolated compartment such that the force applying member applies a force to the seed in the isolated compartment to break the seed into two or more seed particles; and a seed collecting station comprising a seed particle directing member configured to provide an isolated passageway between the isolated compartment of the seed container and a corresponding collection cavity of a seed particle collector wherein, at the seed collecting station, a first end of the seed particle directing member is configured to secure to the seed container and a second end of the seed particle directing member is configured to secure to the seed particle collector, wherein the seed particle directing member is configured to rotate with the secured seed container and the seed particle collector to encourage transfer of the seed particles from the seed container through the seed particle directing member and into the seed particle collector.