Precision dosing and delivery device and viable pollen distribution method for plants.

Abstract

Provided is a precision metering and delivery apparatus and method of use for the precise distribution of viable pollen in diluent or other particulate material via metering and delivery of said pollen or other particulate material, said precision metering apparatus comprising a metering apparatus, a delivery system, and a storage device. Apparatuses of the present invention ensure that the pollen or other particulate material is not harmed during the delivery and that the pollen is applied in the correct density or amount.

Description

1 / 47 Precision dosing and delivery device and viable pollen distribution method for plants. Cross-referencing for related orders

[001] This application claims priority over U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 490,611, filed March 16, 2023, entitled PRECISION METERING DEVICE AND METHOD, as well as U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 524,385, filed June 30, 2023, entitled SELF-ADJUSTING APPLICATOR FOR ROW CROPS. The contents of U.S. Provisional Applications Nos. 63 / 490,611 and 63 / 524,385 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Field of Invention

[002] The present invention relates generally to precise dosing and dispensing apparatus and its use in the distribution and application of particulate matter in agricultural settings, such as traditional fields used for row crops. In particular, the present invention describes a bulk particulate matter application system that allows for the precise dosing of particulate matter by means of compression or dosing of said particulate matter and then its dispersion in one or more rows of plants. Background of the Invention

[003] The present invention has application in the field of pollination and other crop production practices, including, but not limited to, seed, grain, vegetable, ornamental, industrial and fruit production practices. During the growing season of many crops, it can be beneficial to apply pollen or other particles to these crops. Other particles are widely used in agriculture, including, but not limited to, particle formats of fertilizers, fungicides, small seeds and pesticides. These particles can be Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 14 / 109 2 / 47 applied to crops on one or more occasions during the growing season. The substances may need to be applied to specific parts of each plant (i.e., flowers, leaves, roots, fruits, etc.) or at a specific height on each plant.

[004] The present invention is particularly suitable for the intentional application of pollen, which may be mixed with additional particles that contribute to the health of the pollen and the plants. This pollen is applied, for example, to plants receptive to pollen. Said pollen may be genetically similar to said crops (i.e., self-pollination or sibling pollen) and is applied to replace or supplement inadequate natural pollination, or genetically different from said crops (i.e., cross-pollination) and is used to effect the production of hybrid crops or to assist in plant breeding processes.

[005] Intentional pollination is used to produce specific hybrid seeds or plants, to pollinate plants when natural pollination has failed or is particularly deficient, when genetic purity is desired, to reduce the cost of products produced, to cross plants that do not normally cross well under natural conditions, to supplement natural pollination, and / or to pollinate plants as needed for any other reason. In such circumstances, pollen must be applied to plants in such a way as to ensure that it reaches the stigma of the recipient flowers in adequate quantities. Metered pollen application requires an applicator that ensures that the pollen is not damaged during application and that it is applied at the correct density or quantity.

[006] Pollen can be classified as orthodox or recalcitrant, based on water content at the time of dispersal, sensitivity to desiccation, accumulation of biochemical components, and pollen grain morphology (Pacini & Dolferus (2016) in Understanding Reproductive Stage Stress Tolerance, Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Plants - Recent Advances and Future Perspectives, Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 15 / 109 3 / 47 ed. A. Shanker (London: Intech), 703-754). Mature pollen grains in orthodox species are typically desiccated at the time of their dispersal and generally have less than 30% water by weight, range in size from 30 to 100 μm, and have one to six grooves and pores in the pollen grain. Examples of orthodox pollen species include species of Fabaceae (beans) and most species of Lamiaceae (mint, rosemary, and other herbs) and many trees, such as maples and oaks. In recalcitrant pollen species, the pollen is typically released with high percentages of water (greater than 30% by weight) and desiccates on its way to the female flowers. Recalcitrant pollen is typically 15 to 30 μm or 70 to 150 pm in diameter, has no grooves, and has 0 to 12 (or more) pores in the grain.Examples of recalcitrant pollen species include almost all species of Poaceae, pumpkin and squash (Cucurbita pepo) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea), as well as some trees, such as birch (Franchi et al. (2011) J. Exp. Bot. 62:15 52675281).

[007] Recalcitrant pollen must be handled with great care, as it is much more sensitive to desiccation and other forms of physical damage, in addition to having a very short shelf life. Viability can be lost in minutes or hours, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Exposure to dry air and high temperatures is particularly detrimental to the viability and longevity of pollen after its release by the plant. In particular, pollen from the Poaceae (Gramineae) plant family, commonly called grasses, is particularly vulnerable and has a short lifespan (Barnabas & Kovacs (1997) in: Pollen Biotechnology For Crop Production And Improvement. (1997). Sawhney, VK and KR Shivanna (eds.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 293-314). This plant family includes many economically important cereal crops, including maize. Consequently, there is a need in the industry for metered applicators that do not damage the pollen or render it unviable.The applicator of the present invention is specifically designed to handle recalcitrant pollen carefully, without causing significant damage, thereby maximizing the shelf life of the pollen grain and its pollination potential. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 16 / 109 4 / 47

[008] The applicator can be used on any agricultural crop, including seeds, grains, vegetables, fruits, trees and ornamental crops. In particular, the invention is suitable for use on crops typically grown in rows. Such plants include, among others, economically important crops such as soybeans, alfalfa, sunflowers, canola, rice, cotton, hemp and cereals such as corn, wheat, barley, millet, sorghum and oats. Brief Description of the Drawings

[009] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a first configuration of the present invention attached to a field device.

[010] FIG. 1 a is an enlarged view of the configuration of FIG. 1.

[011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shaftless helical screw of the present invention.

[012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a dosing apparatus of the present invention.

[013] FIG. 4a is a top plan view of a dosing plate of the present invention.

[014] FIG. 4b is an elevation view of the top plane of another configuration of a dosing plate of the present invention.

[015] FIG. 5 is a front view of another configuration of the present invention.

[016] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the configuration form of FIG. 4 showing the configuration in a normal operating setting.

[017] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the configuration in FIG. 5 showing the configuration in a travel configuration.

[018] FIG. 8 is a side view of the configuration in FIG. 5 showing the position of the shaftless helical screw. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 17 / 109 5 / 47

[019] FIG. 9 is another side elevation view of the configuration in FIG. 8, in which the shaftless screw conveyor is stored vertically for transport.

[020] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the screw feed chute of the configuration in FIG. 5.

[021] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an applicator of the present invention.

[022] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of an applicator of the present invention.

[023] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of an applicator of the present invention.

[024] FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of a self-adjusting pivot of the present invention.

[025] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the connection between at least one pivot element and the pivot point of an apparatus of the present invention.

[026] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a self-adjusting applicator of the present invention, showing the applicator tilting in a first direction.

[027] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a self-adjusting applicator of the present invention, showing the applicator tilting in a second direction.

[028] FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of a third configuration of the present invention coupled to a field device.

[029] FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of a dosing apparatus of the configuration shown in FIG. 18. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 18 / 109 6 / 47

[030] FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of the distribution chamber and fan of the configuration shown in FIG. 18.

[031] FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the distribution chamber of the configuration shown in FIG. 18 with the cover removed.

[032] FIG. 22 is another top perspective view of the distribution chamber of the configuration shown in FIG. 18.

[033] FIG. 23 is another perspective view of the top of the distribution chamber shown in FIG. 18.

[034] FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the storage receptacle of the configuration shown in FIG. 18.

[035] FIG. 25 is a front elevation view of the screw feed chute of FIG. 10 with particulate matter contained within the screw feed chute.

[036] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 3 showing the compression of particulate material onto a disc.

[037] FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a dispensing chamber of the present invention, shown without a dosing plate to illustrate the extrusion of particulate material from the compression tube.

[038] FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of the dispensing chamber of FIG. 27 with a dosing plate showing the measured cut of the extruded particulate material.

[039] FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of the configuration in FIG. 5 showing the pollen distribution in a high-row crop.

[040] FIG. 30 is a side perspective view of the configuration in FIG. 19 showing the particulate matter chambers loaded with pollen. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 19 / 109 7 / 47

[041] FIG. 31 is another side perspective view of the configuration in FIG. 30 showing the activation of the pistons to dispense pollen from the particulate matter chambers.

[042] FIG. 32 is a top perspective view of the configuration in FIG. 21 showing the pollen distribution.

[043] FIG. 33 is a front elevation view of the configuration in FIG. 17 showing the pollen distribution in a row crop.

[044] FIG. 34 is a front elevation view of another configuration of the invention.

[045] FIG. 35 is a rear elevation view of the configuration in FIG. 34.

[046] FIG. 36 is a side elevation view of the configuration in FIG. 34. Brief Description of the Invention

[047] Configurations of a precision dosing and dispensing apparatus for applying particulate matter by means of at least one applicator in a plurality of plants are presented. The precision dosing and dispensing apparatus may comprise at least one dosing apparatus. This dosing apparatus may comprise a compression device, such as a shaftless helical screw contained within a compression tube, such as a screw tube, to alter the density of the dispensed material, together with a dosing device, such as a rotating dosing plate to accurately measure pollen or other particulate matter. The horizontal shaftless helical screw of the present invention is configured so that the screw helix is ​​not coextensive with the end of the screw tube. This allows material to accumulate as it exits the helix and is no longer moved directly by the screw.The horizontal screw aids in the transition of the material from a loose, fluid powder to a semi-solid disc. In other configurations, the dosing apparatus may... Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 20 / 109 8 / 47 comprising a compression tube coupled to a piston to compress the pollen. Such a dosing apparatus may further comprise an impeller for scraping and measuring the pollen. In other configurations, the dosing apparatus may comprise a belt located below a storage container for measuring the pollen. The belt may further comprise small paddles for scraping more pollen and moving it to the distribution system. In other additional configurations, the dosing apparatus may comprise a metal mesh belt, in which the pollen falls into the openings between the metal mesh as it is rotated in front of the pollen reservoir and is conveyed to the air distribution system.

[048] The precision dosing and dispensing apparatus also includes a dispensing system, such as an air distribution system. In some configurations, the precision dosing and dispensing apparatus also includes at least one storage container. In some configurations, the dosing device scrapes, sweeps, or slices the particulate material disc by means of a dosing plate located at the end of the compression tube to uniformly dose the particulate material without degrading the viability of the pollen. The dosed particulate material can then be transported to the desired application site by the air distribution system. In some configurations, the air distribution system may be split to feed one or more applicator devices. In some configurations, the storage container feeds the screw with pollen to prepare it for dosing and dispensing.

[049] In a first embodiment of the invention, a large particle dosing system is disclosed, comprising a storage container, a dosing system, a dosing device, a compression device and an air distribution system. The container dispenses the particulate material into the compression device, which compresses it into a cylindrical disc or disc. The cylindrical disc is then scraped by the dosing device, which scrapes the cylindrical disc at a determined rate. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 21 / 109 9 / 47 by the dosing system. This rate may vary based on the size of the distribution system, an area-based application rate, travel speed calculated from GPS feedback combined with an area-based application rate, or any combination thereof. The scraped pollen or other particulate matter is then distributed to the crops by the air distribution system via one or more applicators.

[050] The invention configurations can be adapted for use in one or more fields, greenhouses, vertical farming installations, arch greenhouses and high tunnels. Plants can be in rows, blocks or other configurations that allow the applicator to be used close to them. Other configurations of the invention can be adapted for operation by means of, but not limited to, manpower, all-terrain vehicle, tractor, robotic applicator, aerial or drone-based applicator, motorized vehicle or stationary applicator. Detailed Description of the Invention

[051] Examples of configurations will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Examples of configurations are provided so that this invention fully conveys the scope of the mechanism and operation to someone with at least a common knowledge of the prior art. Numerous specific details are presented, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of the configurations of the present invention. It will be evident to someone with at least a common knowledge of the prior art that specific details need not be employed, that examples of configurations can be embodied in many different forms, and that none of these should be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. In some examples of configurations, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 22 / 109 10 / 47

[052] The terminology used here is intended only to describe specific examples of configurations and is not intended to be limiting. As used here, the singular forms a, an, and the may also include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms comprise, including, and having are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of the declared features, components, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, components, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The steps, processes, and operations of the method described here should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring their execution in the specific order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of execution. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[053] When an element or layer is referred to as being on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, directly engaged to, directly connected to, or directly coupled to another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc.). As used herein, the term and / or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed associated items.

[054] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used here to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 23 / 109 11 / 47 is used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Terms such as first, second, and other numerical terms, when used here, do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be called a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the illustrative configurations.

[055] Spatially relative terms, such as internal, external, below, sub, inferior, above, superior, and the like, may be used herein to facilitate description and to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s), as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be designed to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation represented in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, the elements described as below or under other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term below may encompass both an above and below orientation. The device may be oriented in another way (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[056] A unique high-volume precision dosing apparatus is disclosed for use in agricultural applications, including, but not limited to, pollen application in row crops. The disclosed applicator has the capability to accurately measure and distribute pollen or other particulate material using a simple and scalable method. Such technology and methods can be used in conjunction with any plants for which it is desired to distribute or apply solid particulate material. Such material can be applied directly to the plant, to the soil, or to both. For ease of discussion and understanding, the detailed description below may refer to the invention for use with dispersal. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 24 / 109 12 / 47 of pollen. However, it should be noted that the technology and methods can be used with any solid particulate material and any plants. The invention has particular applicability in particulate material compositions with varying moisture contents, such as pollen, which have traditionally been difficult to measure and distribute accurately due to the variable flow characteristics of the particulate material. Pollen, specifically, has a tendency to clump together when stored, which drastically inhibits its flowability and pollen viability.

[057] As used in this invention, pollen can refer to both pure pollen and pollen that has been mixed with other additives. Furthermore, pollen can be freshly collected pollen, recently collected pollen, or pollen previously collected and subjected to short- or long-term storage, including pollen kept at cold or refrigerated temperatures, including cryopreserved pollen. When additives are combined with pollen, they can be mixed with it in specific additive-to-pollen ratios. The additives can be non-living particles, living particles, or a combination of living and non-living particles. Additives can include, for example, diluents, antiflocculants, absorbent materials, materials intended to separate particles, or materials with other uses, such as, but not limited to, additives that help maintain the viability of pollen or other living particles.

[058] For the purposes of this invention, the term viable or viability is used to describe pollen that is capable of germinating and developing a pollen tube to a length of at least twice the diameter of the pollen grain. Additionally, pollen can be considered viable by demonstrating that the cellular nature of the material remains intact and is considered undamaged, such that normal cellular processes of metabolism and intracellular functioning are possible. Pollen viability can be assessed in various ways, including, but not limited to, evaluating pollen tube growth in artificial media or excised stigmas or styles, assessing cellular integrity through vital staining of various types, absence of Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 25 / 109 13 / 47 Electrolyte leakage (e.g., potassium), impedance flow cytometry, and seed production. Viable pollen can germinate successfully and commonly possesses the vigor necessary to promote fertilization and the initiation of seed development. Not all viable pollen is also fertile pollen. In some cases, even when a pollen grain is viable and initiates pollen tube growth, it may not have the vigor necessary to reach the ovule and promote fertilization. Non-viable pollen grains fail to germinate successfully. Viability can refer to a single pollen grain or a population of pollen grains. When a percentage value is used to describe pollen viability, the value is typically applied to a pollen population.

[059] It is important to avoid physical stress to pollen and other living particles during handling, particularly when using recalcitrant pollen or other living particles whose viability is impacted by stressors such as heat, humidity, friction, clumping, compression, or other stressors. In particular, handling pollen by means of vibration, forced air, rotation, physical force, or other means can be detrimental to the integrity of the pollen membrane, at least in part as a result of the friction experienced during the distribution process. Consequently, the configurations of the present invention seek to minimize the stress applied to pollen, other living particles, or other non-living particles distributed in a growing environment or applied to a crop. In some cases, additives may be used to reduce the impact of stressors.For example, additives can be used to reduce the effects of high humidity, thereby reducing the clumping or aggregation of living or non-living particles. Research has shown that live pollen grains that come into contact with the contents of broken dead pollen cells are negatively affected by this contact, reducing viability and killing the pollen cells (U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 028,626). Thus, pollen particles can be mixed with additives to reduce contact with dead pollen contents. Other living particles that can be applied using the invention may include... Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 26 / 109 14 / 47 real insects, such as those used in biological control regimes to combat crop pests or plant diseases, which can be gently mixed with additives to improve their viability, prevent insect damage, absorb residues, and provide nutrition during storage. Other living particles that can be applied using the invention may include bacteria, fungi, or viral particles that are being applied to treat crop pests or plant diseases. Bacteria and fungi, for example, can be mixed with an additive that includes growth-supporting nutrients, which reduces damage or otherwise protects the particles or improves their viability. In all cases, living and non-living particles of all types can also be mixed with additives that serve as diluents to improve the effectiveness of delivering a measured dose to the crop.

[060] In a first embodiment of the invention, a precision dosing and dispensing apparatus is provided, as shown in Figure 1. In the illustrated example, the precision dosing and dispensing apparatus is adapted to be coupled to field machines, such as a tractor. However, the precision dosing and dispensing apparatus can be adapted to any method of moving plants through the apparatus, including, but not limited to, manual labor, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), robotic applicator, other field machines, aerial machines, motorized vehicle or a stationary applicator in which plants or parts thereof are moved through the applicator by a conveyor belt or other mechanism. In one embodiment, the precision dosing and dispensing apparatus can be coupled to a vehicle driven by an operator.In another configuration, the precision dosing and dispensing device can be attached to an autonomous vehicle, such as a self-driving car, an autonomous tractor, or a self-piloted drone.

[061] The precision dosing and dispensing apparatus may include at least one storage device or hopper. In some configurations Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 27 / 109 15 / 47 of the invention, the storage device may be a storage container. In one embodiment, the storage container is removablely attached to a screw chute, so that the storage container can be removed from the screw chute to facilitate transport or to clean the material accumulated on the walls of the storage container. In another embodiment, the storage container is removablely attached with a set of hinged locking latches to allow removal without tools. However, other means of removable attachment of the storage container may be used, such as screws or other fasteners, without departing from the scope of the invention. The storage container may alternatively be permanently attached to the screw chute using permanent fastening means, such as welding, or any other suitable method that provides a firm connection, without departing from the scope of the invention.In one embodiment of the invention, the storage container has a rectangular shape and is positioned over two screw channels of equal size. These screw channels consist of a larger opening end and a smaller compression tube feed end, formed by three vertical sides and one inclined side. In the preferred embodiment, the inclined side is configured to have an inclination between 15 and 75 degrees, preferably between 30 and 60 degrees, and most preferably between 40 and 50 degrees.

[062] In one configuration, the screw chutes are configured so that the inclined side of the two screw chutes meets at the top of the inclined side of each chute, so that the material deposited in the screw chutes descends along the inclined side of each chute, away from the opposite chute. In another configuration, the screw chutes further include one or more agitators located along the inclined or vertical side of the screw chute. In one configuration, the agitators consist of a series of horizontal bars connected by a vertical bar that corresponds to the length of the inclined side of the screw chute and continues above the material outlet, along with a motorized system coupled to the vertical bar. When in use, a Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 28 / 109 16 / 47 The motorized system coupled to the vertical bar will rapidly move the ends of the horizontal bars up and down. This movement allows the horizontal bars to remove pollen trapped on the inclined side of the screw chute, thus preventing pollen buildup in the screw chute. The agitators of the present invention may also take the form of a beater, a pneumatic piston, a stirring agitator, a ribbon mixer, or combinations thereof.

[063] Another problem that can occur in pollen distribution is bridging. Bridging is a self-created arc of pollen or other particulate material that can form above the outlet of a funnel as it empties. Bridging occurs when the ends of the arc are held together by friction against the walls. The agitators of the present invention combat bridging by breaking up the pollen accumulated in the screw chute before an arc forms. The container can also be pressurized to allow for a more uniform flow of material.

[064] The invention may comprise a compression device for compressing pollen or other particles in order to allow consistent dosing of said pollen or other particles. In one embodiment, the compression device is a shaftless helical screw contained within a compression tube and fixed to the bottom of the screw trough. In another embodiment, the compression device may be a piston contained within a compression tube and fixed to the bottom of a dispensing chamber.

[065] In one embodiment of the invention, the shaftless helical screw is positioned so that the screw helix is ​​not coextensive with the drill tube. The screw tube extends beyond the screw helix, providing a compression zone to collect pollen / diluent or other particulate matter. In the preferred embodiment, the screw includes a mechanism for adjusting the location of the screw within the screw tube to increase or decrease the size of the compression zone. In one embodiment, this zone Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 29 / 109 The compression zone (17 / 47) varies between 5 cm and 10 cm in length at the end of the screw tube, depending on the desired level of pollen cohesion exiting the screw. The compression zone will preferably be between 5 cm and 10 cm, or between 7.5 cm and 10 cm, more preferably between 7.5 cm and 8.5 cm in length. The ideal length of the compression zone depends on the material properties of the substance to be compressed, as well as the length and cross-sectional area of ​​the screw tube. Smaller tubes and screws would allow for greater precision in smaller volumes. Larger tubes and screws would allow for higher application rates and a greater number of rows to be fed from a single unit. Furthermore, smaller tubes and screws would require smaller compression zones to achieve the desired levels of particle aggregation, while larger tubes and screws would require larger compression zones.Substances with higher moisture content tend to compact more easily; therefore, shorter compression zones may be more desirable. Substances with lower moisture content tend to flow more freely and may require larger compression zones to form a uniform extrusion surface. Generally, larger compression zones will produce firmer pollen discs, while a shorter compression zone will produce less cohesive discs. The ability to detect disc displacement and / or density will be used to provide an automated feedback loop to ensure the rate remains consistent. After leaving the compression zone, the pollen is exposed to a cutting device capable of breaking the extruded disc in a predominantly uniform manner at a measured rate. In one embodiment of the invention, the dosing device consists of a dosing plate with a center of rotation at the center of the screw tube connected to a rotating support.In the preferred configuration, the dosing plate consists of a disc with a circular opening. The circular opening is sized to match the outlet of the compression tube. The circular opening is intersected by one or more dividing bars, wedges, wires, impeller, fan, perforated metal, grids, mesh size, or other devices. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 30 / 109 18 / 47 dosing devices that scrape pollen from the extruded disc as they rotate over the surface of the extruded disc. This rotating dosing plate scrapes off any pollen or other material that has been displaced from the end of the screw tube. The rotating dosing plate of the preferred configuration allows for more reliable pollen dosing when linked to speed than would be provided by gravity feeding, in which the pollen would be extruded from the screw without a shaft, screw helix, piston, chain or cable conveyor, or conveyor belt until the force of gravity acting on the extruded pollen caused it to detach and fall. Although the dosing device of the preferred configuration has been described above as a rotating dosing plate, other types of dosing devices, such as a squirrel cage doser or a rotary impeller in axial or perpendicular orientations, may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.A squirrel cage feeder comprises a rotating impeller cage positioned at the end of the compression tube. The cage is positioned so that the impeller blades cut the end of the compression tube when the cage is rotated, scraping off the extruded pollen or other material.

[066] Connected to the shaftless screw and the dosing device is the air distribution system of the present invention. The air distribution system transports the pollen or other dosed materials to the desired location for dispersal on a plant or row of plants. In the preferred configuration, a single unit of the precision dosing and dispensing apparatus will have at least one distribution chamber connected to the dosing device. In some configurations of the invention, the distribution chamber has a rectangular or circular shape, with a rectangular or circular horizontal cross-section. The distribution chamber has an upper opening to accommodate a fan located above the distribution chamber. The fan may be located directly above the distribution chamber and connected to it.The fan can be connected to the distribution system via a piping system, which allows the fan to be positioned further away from the distribution chamber. Preferably, the fan is not connected directly to the... Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 31 / 109 19 / 47 distribution chamber. A small spacing is preferable to allow the fan outlet to achieve laminar flow, which aids in the uniform distribution of the material. This spacing can be small, such as 2.5 cm, or larger, such as 90 cm to 1.2 m. Additionally, in some configurations, the containers and tubes can be placed under pressure, such as positive pressure, to assist in the distribution of particulate matter or to clean the system.

[067] For this purpose, the fan is connected to the distribution chamber by means of a flexible tube or a rigid connection. In the preferred configuration, each dosing device will be connected to a distribution chamber. In some configurations of the invention, the distribution chamber is divided in half by an adjustable divider. Each half of the chamber covers half of the outlet area of ​​the screw tube and the dosing device, so that half of the total extruded and scraped pollen enters each side of the distribution chamber. At the bottom of the distribution chamber, there is one or more inclined distribution funnels, in which the outlet, located at the bottom of the funnel, is connected to a pollen applicator. In some configurations, each distribution chamber has two funnels corresponding to the two halves of the distribution chamber. The distribution funnel is connected to the pollen applicator by a corrugated tube.In the preferred configuration, the interior of the corrugated tube has a smooth hole to prevent the accumulation of particulate material in the spaces between the corrugations. In some configurations, the distribution system further comprises at least one applicator to dispense the particulate material. In some configurations, the applicator may be a self-adjusting row applicator with at least two applicator tips, where the applicator is configured to receive at least one plant, as well as a plurality of plants in succession as the applicator moves through one or more rows of plants. In one configuration, the self-adjusting applicator comprises a single unit or head configured to receive one row of plants. The preferred configuration of the invention contains a plurality of heads, so that pollen can be applied to multiple rows of crops simultaneously through the plurality of heads. The self-adjusting applicator. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 32 / 109 20 / 47 may comprise at least one guide member configured to successively detect each of the various plants in the row. If a plant is located at a lateral distance different from the longitudinal center relative to the immediately detected plant previously, the guide member triggers the self-adjusting applicator to move at least one applicator.

[068] In another embodiment of the invention, the compression device is a vertical piston contained within a storage receptacle. The compression device feeds the compressed pollen to a dosing device, which may comprise a vertical impeller, pushing the pollen contained in the storage receptacle into the dosing device using the vertical piston. In one embodiment of the invention, the distribution chamber comprises an impeller housing and an impeller housing cover. This embodiment of the invention further comprises an air distribution system, comprising one or more fans fixed to the top of the distribution chamber. The vertical impeller and the air distribution system combine to move the pollen scraped by the vertical impeller to the material outlet. The material outlet is connected to a pollen applicator, such as a self-adjusting applicator, by a corrugated tube.

[069] In some configurations, the self-adjusting applicator further comprises a self-adjusting joint, which may include a pivot point, a bias element, at least one articulation element, and at least one guide member. The bias element may tilt the self-centering applicator into a neutral or balanced position. The neutral or balanced position may be at the longitudinal center of the row. At least one guide member may sense the plants by touching or otherwise contacting them. This contact may cause the guide member to move into a lateral position, such as following an arched path outward and upward from the neutral or balanced position. The movement of the guide member may overcome the tilt of the bias element. This may cause the element to Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 33 / 109 21 / 47 joint rotates around the articulation point. In some configurations, the self-adjusting applicator may include two articulation elements.

[070] The self-adjusting applicator may include at least one applicator tip, and the articulation element may be engaged to the applicator in such a way that the movement of the articulation element may move at least one applicator. In some configurations, the applicator tip may be a nozzle or an atomizer. The self-adjusting applicator is preferably configured to apply pollen or other particles. However, it is foreseeable that someone with at least a basic knowledge of the state of the art could modify the self-adjusting applicator to dispense other materials, such as other living particles like insects. The self-adjusting applicator may include at least one height adjustment element configured to adjust the height of at least one guide element relative to the ground.

[071] Furthermore, in one configuration, the pollen applicator tips are located on each side of the applicator, so that pollen is applied to both sides of a row of plants being fed through the applicator. In one configuration of the present invention, the applicator device has two applicator tips, each applicator tip being fed by a corrugated tube. However, it is foreseeable that someone with at least a basic knowledge in the field could modify the air distribution system by adding or removing tubes, so that the air distribution system consists of a single branched tube feeding both sides of a single applicator, a plurality of tubes feeding a plurality of applicators, a single tube feeding a plurality of applicators, a plurality of tubes feeding a single applicator, or any number of permutations thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.Consequently, the configurations of the invention may have a plurality of tubes connected to a single dosing device, so that a plurality of rows are fed by a single dosing device. It is conceivable that a single measuring device could feed... Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 34 / 109 22 / 47 multiple rows, such as two rows, three rows, four rows, five rows, six rows or more.

[072] In an example of an arrangement that puts the claimed invention into practice, precision dosing and dispensing devices are attached to field machines by means of one or more supports, such as a support network, which can be modified by someone with minimal knowledge in the field, based on factors such as, among others, the number of precision dosing and dispensing devices, the type of field machines or other driving force, and the type of plant. This support network provides a structure to which the precision dosing and dispensing devices can be attached.

[073] Figure 1 shows a precision dosing and dispensing apparatus 100 assembled of the present invention. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, a plurality of precision dosing and dispensing apparatus 100 are shown connected to a field machine piece 102 by a support network 104. A storage container 106 for pollen retention is also shown. The storage container 106 is shown positioned above a screw chute 108 of the present invention. Below the screw chute 108 is a compression tube 109 of the present invention (not shown). In the described configuration, the compression tube 109 is a screw tube 110 that compresses pollen or other particulate material fed into a semi-solid disc 111 (not shown). During use, the screw tube 110 is held in a predominantly horizontal position relative to the ground. Also shown in Figure 1. FIG.Figure 1 is a distribution chamber 112 of the present invention, located at the end of the threaded tube 110. The distribution chamber 112 is shown connected to a fan 114. Also shown in FIG. 1 are adjustable arc row applicators 118. The adjustable arc row applicators 118 comprise sets of application tips 120 that are connected to the distribution chamber 112 by sets of distribution tubes 122. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 35 / 109 23 / 47

[074] Figure 1a shows a more detailed view of an assembled precision dosing and dispensing apparatus 100 of the present invention. The precision dosing and dispensing apparatus 100 is shown connected to a field machine 102 by a support net 104. A storage container 106 for pollen retention is also shown. The storage container 106 is shown positioned above a screw trough 108 of the present invention. Also shown in Figure 1a is a dispensing chamber 112 of the present invention, located at the end of the screw tube 110 (not shown). The dispensing chamber 112 is shown connected to a fan 114. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1a, the fan 114 is connected to the dispensing chamber 112. Also shown in FIG. 1 are the adjustable arc row applicators 118.The adjustable arc row applicators 118 comprise sets of application tips 120 which are connected to the distribution chamber 112 by sets of distribution tubes 122.

[075] FIG. 2 shows an auger assembly of the present invention. The screw tube 110 contains a shaftless helical screw 124 of the present invention. The shaftless helical screw 124 shown comprises a screw motor 126 connected to the screw shaft and helix 128. The screw tube 110 shown in FIG. 2 further includes a rectangular opening 130 through which pollen can be fed from the storage container 106 (not shown) to the shaftless helical screw 124 via the screw channel 108 (not shown). In the configuration shown, the rectangular opening 130 includes a plurality of connection holes 132 for the insertion of screws or other fastening means in order to connect the screw channel 108 to the shaftless helical screw 124. However, other fastening methods, such as permanent fastening methods like welding, or other types of fastening with and without tools, can be used to connect these components without departing from the scope of the invention.Figure 2 also shows a compression zone 134 of the present invention. As discussed above, the compression zone 134 comprises a section. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 36 / 109 24 / 47 of the 110 threaded tube between the 128 helix end and the 110 threaded tube end.

[076] Figure 3 shows a cutaway view of the dosing apparatus 107 of the present invention. The screw chute 108 is shown with an agitator 136 for removing pollen or other material stuck in the screw chute 108. The shaftless helical screw 124 is also shown. The shaftless helical screw 124 is shown with a cutaway view of the screw tube 110 for better visualization of the screw helix 128. The screw 124 includes a screw position adjustment mechanism 125, capable of adjusting the position of the screw 124 laterally within the screw tube 110 to increase or decrease the size of the compression zone 134. In some configurations, the screw position adjustment mechanism 125 is capable of performing automatic adjustment of the screw position 124 based on sensor feedback to determine whether a disc has formed or not and whether the disc is advancing through the screw tube at the correct speed.Below the screw tube 110, a screw position adjustment motor 127 is shown, which operates the screw position adjustment mechanism 125 to increase or decrease the compression zone 134 by adjusting the position of the shaftless helical screw 124 within the screw tube 110. In the configuration shown, the screw position adjustment mechanism 125 is a screw adjuster connected to a motor 127, where rotation of the screw by the motor 127 will move the screw 124 along the screw forward or backward. At the end of the screw tube 110, a metering plate 140 is shown, which scrapes extruded pollen or other particulate material from the disc 111 (not shown) formed in the compression zone 134. Due to the cutaway view, the configuration shown in FIG. 3 shows half of the dispensing chamber 112 located at the end of the screw tube 110 for better visualization of the metering plate 140.In the preferred configuration, the dosing plate 140 is fixed to a rotating mechanism with a plurality of magnetic pins 141. These magnetic pins 141 facilitate tool-free exchange of different dosing plates 140. In the exemplary configuration, the dosing plate 140 is configured to maximize the exposed area of ​​the circular opening. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 37 / 109 25 / 47 having thin dividing bars for scraping pollen or other particulate matter. However, dosing plates 140 with other faces can also be used, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b. For example, it may be beneficial in the operation of an apparatus of the present invention to use a dosing plate 140 with a smaller opening when starting the operation of the apparatus, to provide greater resistance to the material exiting the compression tube 109. This smaller opening would help the particulate matter in the compression zone 134 to obtain a uniform surface for the dosing plate 140 to scrape, reducing the pollen flow from the compression tube. After obtaining a uniform surface, the dosing plate 140 with the smaller opening area could be easily replaced by the normal dosing plate 140 for normal operation.

[077] Also shown is a distribution chamber divider 113, consisting of a vertical wall that separates the distribution chamber 112 in half, so that half of the scraped pollen is dispensed on each side of the distribution chamber 112. The distribution chamber divider 113 preferably includes an adjustment mechanism, such as a screw adjuster, which can move the top of the divider to the right or left. The adjustment mechanism allows for alteration of the pollen distribution, so that the sides of the distribution chamber 112 can be changed to receive a higher percentage of scraped pollen. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the distribution chamber 112 is shown with the fan 114 connected to the top of the distribution chamber 112. Below the distribution chamber 112 is the distribution funnel 142 which feeds the material to an applicator, such as an adjustable arc row applicator 118 (not shown).

[078] Figures 4a and 4b show two different configurations of a dosing plate 140 of the present invention. Figure 4a shows a dosing plate 140 with four openings 143 of equal size. The dosing plate 140 is configured to have a larger opening area in order to provide less resistance to extruded pollen or other material. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 38 / 109 26 / 47 particulate. Figure 4b shows a dosing plate 140 with two openings 143 of equal size. The dosing plate 140 is configured to have a smaller opening area in order to provide greater resistance to extruded pollen or other particulate material. Although the dosing plate 140 has been described with respect to the illustrated configurations, various other sizes and shapes of openings 143 may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Although the openings 143 have been shown as a plurality of circular quadrants, any opening shape may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

[079] FIG. 5 shows a front view of another configuration of the present invention, showing a dosing unit of the present invention configured to distribute particulate material to two rows of crops. The storage container 106 is shown connected to two screw chutes 108. In the screw chute 108 on the right side, the dispensing chamber 112 is shown in a transparent view to allow visualization of the dosing plate 140. However, in some configurations, the front of the dispensing chamber 112 may be made of a transparent material, such as glass or plastic, to allow operators to more easily visualize the extrusion of pollen or other particulate material 196, ensuring proper operation of the shaftless helical screw 124. Above the dispensing chamber 112 of the configuration is a fan 114. Below the dispensing chamber 112 are shown the dispensing funnels 142.The dispensing funnels 142 are shown connected to the application tips 120 of the adjustable arc row applicators 118 by flexible dispensing tubes 122.

[080] FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 5. The storage container 106 is shown connected to two screw channels 108. The screw channels 108 are shown connected to the support network 104. Above the distribution chamber 112 of the configuration is a fan 114. Below the distribution chamber 112 are shown the distribution funnels 142. The distribution funnels 142 are shown connected to the Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 39 / 109 27 / 47 application tips 120 of the adjustable arc row applicators 118 by flexible distribution tubes 122.

[081] FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 6, in which the position of some of the components, such as the shaftless helical screw 124 and the screw tube 110, are shifted to a displacement configuration. When the invention is used in territories with vehicle width requirements, the displacement configuration is beneficial to allow tractors or other field machines 102, with configurations of the present invention mounted on them, to move along public roads to reach different application locations without the need for transport by other equipment. In this configuration, the screw tube 110 is displaced upwards and the distribution tubes 122 would be removed and stored.

[082] FIG. 8 shows a side view of the configuration shown in FIG. 5. The storage container 106 is shown connected to two screw channels 108. The screw channels 108 are shown connected to the structural members 105 of the support network 104. Above the distribution chamber 112 of the configuration is a fan 114. To the right of the distribution chambers 112 of the configuration is the screw tube 110 containing the shaftless helical screw 124. Below the distribution chambers 112 are shown the distribution funnels 142. The distribution funnels 142 are shown connected to the application tips 120 of the adjustable arc row applicators 118 by flexible distribution tubes 122.

[083] FIG. 9 shows another view of the configuration shown in FIG. 8. In the configuration, the shaftless helical screw 124 has been moved to a vertical orientation for transport. The storage container 106 is shown connected to the screw chute 108. The screw chute 108 is shown connected to the structural members 105 of the support network 104. To the left of the distribution chamber 112 of the configuration, there is a fan 114. Above the distribution chamber 112 of the configuration, there is the screw tube 110. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 40 / 109 28 / 47 containing the 124 helical screw without shaft. To the right of the distribution chamber 112, one of the distribution funnels 142 is shown together with application tips 120 of the adjustable arc row applicators 118.

[084] Returning to FIG. 10, a cutaway view of the screw trough 108 of the configuration of FIG. 3 is shown. The position of the agitator 136 is shown. In the configuration shown, the agitator 136 runs parallel to the slope of the angled wall of the screw trough 108. At the end of the screw trough 108, where the screw trough 108 is connected to the compression tube 109, the agitator 136 continues and slopes towards the compression tube 109. The agitator motor 138 located at the bottom of the angled side of the screw trough 108 is also shown.

[085] Returning to FIG. 11, a view of the head 142 of an adjustable arc row applicator 118 is shown. The head includes a support 144 that connects the head 142 to the support network 104 (not shown). Attached to the support 144 are one or more articulation elements 146. In the illustrated configuration, each of said articulation elements 146 is attached to one or more reinforcements 148 at the opposite end from the support 144. The illustrated configuration includes one reinforcement 148 per articulation element 146. Furthermore, the illustrated reinforcement 148 can be described as a generally horizontal bar. However, anyone with technical knowledge of the subject will recognize that any size, shape, or type of support can be used. Additionally, the reinforcement 148 is optional, as the components held or supported by the reinforcement 148 can be held or supported directly by one or more articulation elements 146.Each of the reinforcements 148 holds one or more adjustable-length leg members 150. Attached to the adjustable-length leg members 150 is at least one guide member 152. In the illustrated configuration, a pair of guide members 152 extends both forward and backward (referring to the direction of forward movement) to guide the articulation elements 146 toward a plant or row of plants. The guide members 152 are configured to accept one or more. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 41 / 109 29 / 47 plants. In the illustrated configurations, a set of guide members 152 accepts a series of plants in succession that are planted in a row. Consequently, the guide bars 152 guide the articulation elements 146 towards the plants as they pass between the guide bars 152. In the illustrated configuration, one or more application tips 120 are shown attached to the reinforcement 148 at the opposite end of the adjustable-length leg members 150, although any configuration may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

[086] The illustrated configuration also includes a self-adjusting joint 154. As will be described in detail below, the self-adjusting joint 154 allows the articulation elements 146 to rotate relative to an articulation point 156 of the applicator. In cases where row spacing is variable, the self-adjusting joint 154 described herein allows the head 142, including components such as the articulation elements 146 and the application tips 120, to move to a position that accommodates the variability. In addition, the self-adjusting joint 154 accommodates rows with curves or other variations within the planting row. This ensures that the application tips 120 remain correctly positioned relative to the plant, regardless of any variability in the row.

[087] Figure 12 shows a rear perspective view of a head 142 of an applicator device of the present invention. A rear view of the support 144 is shown. In some configurations, the support 144 is configured to fix the head 142 to the support net 104 (not shown). In other configurations, the self-adjusting joint 154 can be fixed directly to a support net without the use of a support. The head 142 includes a self-adjusting joint 154 fixed to the support 144 (shown in more detail in Figures 14 to 16). In the configuration shown, the self-adjusting joint can be fixed to said support net 104 using a connection, such as screws 158. As will be understood by anyone with at least common knowledge in the field, any type of connection can be Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 42 / 109 30 / 47 used. The head 142 further comprises articulation elements 146 connected to the support 144 by the self-adjusting joint 154, as described in more detail below. The head 142 may also comprise length-adjustable leg members 150. In the illustrated configuration, the length of the length-adjustable leg members 150 is adjusted using a pin adjuster 160 in combination with a plurality of equally spaced holes 162 along the length of the length-adjustable leg elements 150, the equally spaced holes 162 being sized to receive the pin of the pin adjuster 160. However, in other configurations, elements that are not capable of length adjustment may be included.

[088] The adjustable-length leg members 150 may have a first and a second end, the first end being closer to the support 144 and the second end being farther from the support 144. The first end may also be called the proximal end and the second end may also be called the distal end. Although the leg adjustment mechanism has been described as a pin adjuster 160 being used with a plurality of equally spaced holes 162, anyone with at least basic knowledge of the area will be able to replace this adjustment method with any number of alternative mechanisms without departing from the scope of the invention. The head 142 may further comprise application tips 120 attached to the articulation members 146. The head 142 may further comprise guide members 152 attached to the distal end of the adjustable-length leg members 150.In the illustrated configuration, the guide members 152 are shaped so that the opening between the guide bars 152 is wider at the front, in order to accommodate plants that are far from the center.

[089] FIG. 13 shows a head 142 of an adjustable arc row applicator 118 of a configuration of the present invention, showing a locking element 164. The head 142, in the illustrated configuration, includes Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 43 / 109 31 / 47 a support 144 fixed to a self-adjusting joint 154. The self-adjusting joint 154 may also include at least one locking element 164. In some configurations, the locking element 164 may be in the form of an immobilizer latch. The self-adjusting joint 154 is actuated by an adjustment mechanism 163. In the illustrated configuration, the adjustment mechanism 163 is a bias element 165, such as a spring 166. The head 142 further comprises one or more articulation elements 146 connected to the self-adjusting joint 154. In the illustrated configuration, adjustable-length leg members 150 and application tips 120 are also included. The adjustable-length leg members 150 can be adjusted by an adjustment pin 160. The adjustable-length leg members 150 can be connected to one or more guide members 152 fixed to the lower portion of the adjustable-length leg members 150.Also shown are a bias fork articulation point 157 below the applicator articulation point 156, and an actuation pin 159.

[090] As discussed above, FIG. 14 shows a configuration of a self-adjusting joint 154 of an configuration of the present invention. This illustrated design includes a bias element 165, for example, a spring 166. The illustrated configuration does not require electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic components, although such components may be included without departing from the scope of the invention. This results in an efficient design and less vulnerable to component failure. The self-adjusting joint shown further provides an articulation point of the applicator 156 around which the articulation elements 146 can rotate. The illustrated configuration further provides a locking element 164 to secure the articulation elements 146 in order to prevent unwanted movements of the articulation elements 146, such as during transport of the adjustable arc row applicator 118.

[091] Returning to FIG. 15, the interior of a self-adjusting joint 154 of the present invention is shown. The figure shows the upper part of a joint element 146. A bridge 168 connecting is also shown. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 44 / 109 32 / 47 the two articulation elements 146. The second articulation element is not shown in FIG. 15, but in the illustrated configuration, the two articulation elements 146 and the bridge 168 are symmetrical and form a continuous component. The articulation point of the applicator 156 extends through the bridge 168. In some configurations, the resistance between the two articulation elements 146 is balanced at the articulation point of the applicator 156. Force in any direction, which will be discussed in detail below, will cause the articulation elements 146 to respond and move accordingly. In the illustrated configuration, the articulation elements 146 and the bridge 168 create a pendulum that moves in an arched trajectory.

[092] FIGS. 16-17 illustrate the operation of a head 142 of adjustable arc row applicators 118 of one configuration of the present invention. The head 142 may include a support 144 fixed to a self-adjusting joint 154. The self-adjusting joint 154 may further include at least one locking element 164. The self-adjusting joint 154 includes a bias element, such as a spring 166. The spring 166 is fixed to two ends 167 of the bias element to allow operation of the bias element. The locking element 164 may be in the form of a locking latch 169. In FIG. 16, the self-adjusting joint 154 is tilted to the right relative to the equilibrium position when viewed from the front, a movement that would have been triggered when the guide members 152 came into contact with a plant that was to the right of center. FIG.Figure 17, on the other hand, illustrates the self-adjusting joint 154 tilted to the left when viewed from the front, a movement that would have been triggered when the guide members 152 came into contact with a plant that was to the left of center. More specifically, in the illustrated configuration, the ends 167 of the bias element are connected to the articulation point of the bias fork 157, as well as to the spring 166. Consequently, when the articulation elements 146 are displaced to the right, as seen in FIG. 16, the actuating pin 159 comes into contact with the right end 142 of the bias element, causing the right end 167 of the bias element to move away from the left end 167 of the bias element, tensioning the spring. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 45 / 109 33 / 47 166. When the force acting on the guide members 146 is no longer present, the spring 166 will contract and force the right end 167 of the bias element back to the left end 167, returning the articulation elements 146 to their neutral position. In FIG. 16, the applied force moves the actuating pin 159 into contact with the left end 167 of the bias element. This creates a similar effect, where the spring 166 will return both itself and the articulation elements 146 to a neutral position after the applied force is no longer present. The head further comprises one or more articulation elements 146 connected to the self-adjusting joint 154. The length-adjustable members 150 can be adjusted by a pin adjuster 160.

[093] The applicator, as an adjustable arc row applicator 118, can be used to apply products to any cultivated plant species that can be accommodated by the device to which the applicator is attached. In general, the applicator is designed for use on plants grown in rows. However, different configurations of the applicator device can be adapted to operate in any environment, including, but not limited to, ideal or target environments for outdoor cultivation, off-season environments or controlled environments (e.g., shade / glass / green / arc greenhouses, grow chambers, vertical growing facilities, hydroponic facilities, aeroponic facilities, etc.).

[094] The precision particulate matter dosing devices of the invention can be attached to a variety of vehicles, allowing them to move through rows of plants. The dosing devices can be mounted on manual delivery vehicles or robots that can be used indoors or in smaller areas. The device can also be mounted on field-driven machines.

[095] Returning to FIG. 18, another configuration of a plurality of precision dosing devices is shown, in which the compression device Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 46 / 109 34 / 47 is a piston 178 contained within a receptacle 176 of solid particulate material connected to a field machine piece 102 by means of a support network 104. In the configuration shown, six apparatus 100 are connected to a field machine piece 102 for clarity purposes. The precision dispensing apparatus 100 of the configuration shown comprise a vertical compression tube 109 connected to a dispensing chamber 112. Each dispensing chamber 112 has a material outlet 188 that feeds one side of an applicator 117, such as an adjustable arc row applicator 118, by means of a dispensing tube 122.

[096] Returning to FIG. 19, another view of the configuration of FIG. 18 is shown. The precision dosing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 19 may include a fan 114 and a scraping mechanism connected to a dispensing chamber 112. In the configuration shown in FIG. 18, the scraping mechanism comprises an impeller 170 (seen in more detail in FIGS. 20 to 22), and the dispensing chamber 112 comprises an impeller housing 172 and an impeller housing cover 174. In the apparatus 100 shown on the left, the impeller housing cover 174 is shown next to the apparatus 100. The configuration further comprises a compression tube 109 for the storage and compression of pollen or other solid particulate matter 196. In the illustrated configuration, the compression tube 109 is a receptacle 176 for solid particulate matter. The receptacle 176 for solid particulate matter also includes a piston 178 for compressing and dispensing pollen or other solid particulate matter 196. In FIG.19, the impeller housing cover 174 has been removed or opened from the precision pollen dosing apparatus 100 on the left. As the fan 114 in the illustrated configuration sits on the impeller housing cover 174, the fan 114 is also moved when the cover 174 is in the open position. Other figures will show the internal features of the open apparatus 100 on the left, which will be discussed later. The solid particle receptacle 176 can have any shape or size desired by the user. In the illustrated configuration, the receptacle 176 takes the form of a container, which is a cylinder. O. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 47 / 109 35 / 47 receptacle 176 is in operational engagement with a piston 178. The piston 178 may have any shape or size, but preferably it is complementary in shape and size to receptacle 176.

[097] Returning to FIG. 20, another view of the configuration of FIG. 19 is shown. The impeller housing cover 174 and the fan 114 of an alternative configuration of the present invention are shown. In the illustrated configuration, the fan 114 is located on top of the cover 174. However, the fan 114 may be located in any position in which it is capable of providing pressure, such as positive pressure, within the distribution chamber 112, as described below.

[098] FIG. 21 shows the open distribution chamber 112 of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 19. The impeller 170 located inside the distribution chamber 112, which is created by the impeller housing 172, is shown. The impeller cover 174 has been opened and is not shown. An inlet opening 180 located directly above the solid particle receptacle 176 is also shown. The impeller 170 may have one or more blade-like projections 182. In preferred configurations, the impeller 170 includes a plurality of projections 182. One or more of the projections 182 may have an edge 184. The edge 184 may be raised relative to the surface 186 of the projection 182. The impeller 170 is operationally connected to a motor (not shown) which results in rotational movement of the impeller 170. A material outlet 188 is also shown in Figure 21. The material outlet 188 is connected to an applicator device, such as an adjustable arc row applicator 118, by distribution tubes 122.

[099] FIG. 22 provides another view of the open distribution chamber 112 of the configuration of FIG. 19, showing an enlarged view of the impeller projection 182 and the inlet opening 180. A portion of the impeller 170 is shown including an impeller projection 182. The impeller projection 182 includes an edge 184. The projection 182 shown is over the inlet opening 180. A Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 48 / 109 36 / 47 inlet opening 180 is preferably located directly above receptacle 176, so that material can move from receptacle 176 to distribution chamber 112. A material outlet 188 is also shown.

[100] Another view of the open distribution chamber 112 of the exemplary configuration is found in FIG. 23. The impeller 170 is shown, including four projections 182 of the impeller. Each projection 182 has an edge 184 which is preferably raised relative to the impeller surface 186. The distribution chamber 112 includes a circular side 190, although any shape may be used. Preferably, the shape and size of the chamber 112 are complementary to the shape and size of the impeller 170. The distribution chamber 112 also includes a bottom 192. In the illustrated configuration, the size of the distribution chamber 112, including the side 190 and the bottom 192, are close in size to the diameter of the impeller 170. The inlet opening 180 and the material outlet 188 are also shown. The material outlet 188 is connected to the distribution tube 122.

[101] FIG. 24 shows the solid particulate material receptacle 176 to better illustrate the shape and configuration. In the illustrated configuration, the receptacle 176 has a cylindrical shape; however, any shape or size of receptacle 176 may be used. The piston 178 is also shown. The piston 178 is preferably of a shape and size complementary to the shape and size of the receptacle 176 to perform the function described below. The piston 178 is in operational engagement with the bottom 194 of the solid particulate material receptacle 176. The piston 178 is configured to push the bottom 194 through the receptacle 176. Thus, the bottom 194 is configured to be movable within the receptacle 176.

[102] The operation of the configuration of FIG. 18 of a dosing apparatus 100 serves to measure and distribute precisely solid particulate material 196, such as pollen. The solid particulate material 196 is placed in the receptacle 176 of Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 49 / 109 37 / 47 solid particles by any means currently or in the future known. In one example, the solid particulate material 196 is manually loaded into the receptacle 176 for dispersion. In one configuration, the receptacle 176 is removable from the apparatus 100. The receptacle can be filled with solid particulate material 196 by means of a funnel. The receptacle 176 containing solid particulate material 196 can then be placed in the apparatus 100. In other configurations, the solid particulate material 196 and / or its receptacles 176 can be loaded automatically.

[103] The piston 178 is operationally connected to a motor-driven actuator that causes the piston to move up and down within the receptacle 176. Any means known now or in the future may be used to power the movement of the piston 178, including, but not limited to, hydraulic power, pneumatic power and / or electrical power, such as stepper, servo, axial, gear drive, etc. When piston 178 is lifted within receptacle 176, it pushes the bottom of receptacle 194, which is movable upwards within receptacle 176, forming a compression zone 134. Therefore, the solid particulate material 196 is pushed upwards and out of the top of receptacle 176. The top of receptacle 176 aligns with the inlet opening 180. Thus, the material is pushed through the inlet opening 180 and into the distribution chamber 112. During operation, the impeller 170 rotates.Preferably, the impeller 170 rotates continuously throughout the operation. In the illustrated configuration, the impeller 170 is driven by a motor (not shown), but it can be driven by any means known in the present or future state of the art, including, but not limited to, hydraulic power, pneumatic power and / or electrical power, such as a stepper motor, servo motor, axial, toothed, etc. As the solid particulate material 196 moves into the impeller chamber, the rotating projections 182 of the impeller operate to move one or more portions of the material away from the end of the compression tube 109 and the inlet opening 180 into the distribution chamber 112. In other words, the impeller 170 scrapes the material as it is presented through the... Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, pp. 50 / 109 38 / 47 inlet opening 180. This can cause the solid particulate matter 196 to form a cloud in the chamber.

[104] The fan 114 operates to create pressure within the distribution chamber 112, preferably positive pressure. Additionally, or alternatively, other means of creating pressure, such as positive pressure, known in the present or future state of the art, may be used, including, but not limited to, an impeller, pump, vacuum pneumatics or hydraulics. The positive pressure forces the material that has been moved into the distribution chamber 112 to the material outlet 188. The material then moves to a distribution tube 122. In the preferred configuration, a distribution tube 122 distributes the material directly to a plant via an adjustable arc row applicator 118. The distribution tubes 122 and / or applicator tips 120 can be configured to customize the pattern, direction and / or speed of the material as it exits the system.The distribution tubes 122 may have an adjustable airflow, which may allow the material 196 in the tubes 122 to flow at a prescribed rate (distance over time). The application tips 120 may propel and / or direct the material out of the device. As anyone with minimal knowledge in the field will recognize, other configurations may deliver material without departing from the scope of the invention. The operation of the piston 178 in combination with the impeller 170 serves to accurately measure the amount of solid particulate material 196 that is delivered by the apparatus 100.

[105] FIGS. 24 to 28 illustrate the movement of particulate material 196 through a first configuration of the present invention. In FIG. 25, the disaggregated particulate material 196 is shown in the screw chute 108 of the configuration shown. Although the screw chute 108 is shown in a cutaway view to visualize the particulate material 196, the particulate material 196 would also be contained in the storage container 106 above the screw chute 108. The agitator 136 and the motor are also shown. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 51 / 109 39 / 47 corresponding agitator 138, which assist the particulate material to move through the compaction tube 109.

[106] FIG. 26 shows a cutaway view of a configuration of a dosing apparatus 107 of the present invention, showing the compression of disaggregated particulate material 196 in a cohesive cylindrical disc or disc 111. Also shown is the shaftless helical screw 124. The screw 124 includes a screw position adjustment mechanism 125 which is capable of adjusting the position of the screw 124 laterally within the screw tube 110 to increase or decrease the size of the compression zone 134. Below the screw tube 110 is shown a screw position adjustment motor 127 which operates the screw position adjustment mechanism 125 to increase or decrease the compression zone 134 by adjusting the position of the shaftless helical screw 124 within the screw tube 110.In the configuration shown, the screw position adjustment mechanism 125 is a screw adjuster 129 connected to a motor 127, where the rotation of the screw 129 by the motor 127 will move the shaftless helical screw 124 along the screw 129, forward or backward. At the end of the screw tube 110, a dosing plate 140 is shown which scrapes extruded pollen or other particulate material 196 from the disc 111 formed in the compression zone 134.

[107] FIG. 27 shows a cross-sectional view of a dispensing chamber 112 of the present invention with the dosing plate 140 removed to show the extrusion of a disc 111 of particulate material 196. FIG. 28 shows a similar cross-sectional view of a dispensing chamber 112 with the dosing plate 140. The dosing plate is shown scraping the particulate material 196 from the extruded disc 111, where it is exposed to air from the fans 114 (not shown). The scraped particulate material 196 is directed by gravity and the fans 114 towards the dispensing funnels.

[108] FIG. 29 shows a dosing apparatus 100 of the present invention dispersing particulate material 196 in the form of a cloud of material Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 52 / 109 40 / 47 particulate 197 on a tall row crop 198. For clarity, FIG. 29 shows the dosing apparatus 100 separated from the field machine 102 to which it would be connected in normal operation.

[109] FIGS. 30-33 illustrate the movement of particulate matter through a second configuration of the present invention. The precision dosing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 30 includes a fan 114 connected to a dispensing chamber 112. The configuration further comprises a compression tube 109 for storing and compressing pollen or other solid particulate matter 196. In the illustrated configuration, the compression tube 109 is a receptacle 176 for solid particulate matter. The receptacle 176 for solid particulate matter further includes a piston 178 for compressing and dispensing the pollen or other solid particulate matter 196. The receptacles 176 for solid particulate matter are shown filled with solid particulate matter 196. Receptacle 176 is in operational engagement with piston 178. Piston 178 may have any shape or size, but preferably it is complementary in shape and size to receptacle 176.

[110] FIG. 31 shows another view of the configuration of FIG. 30, showing the dosing apparatus 100 distributing particulate material 196 raising the piston 178 to push the particulate material 196 into the distribution chamber 112.

[111] FIG. 32 shows the distribution chamber 112 of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 31. A cover 174, which would normally be installed during operation, is not illustrated to facilitate visualization of the operation of the apparatus 100. An impeller 170 located within the distribution chamber 112, created by the impeller housing 172, is shown. An inlet opening 180 located directly above the solid particle receptacle 176 is also shown. The impeller 170 may have one or more projections 182, like a blade. In preferred configurations, the impeller 170 includes a plurality of Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 53 / 109 41 / 47 projections 182. One or more of the projections 182 may have an edge 184. The edge 184 may be raised relative to the surface 186 of the projection 182. The impeller 170 is operationally connected to a motor (not shown) which results in rotational movement of the impeller 170. Also shown in FIG. 32 is a material outlet 188. The material outlet 188 is connected to an applicator device, such as an adjustable arc row applicator 118, by distribution tubes 122. In the illustrated configuration, the particulate material 196 is being pushed into the impeller chamber 172, where it is shown being scraped by the impeller projections 182. After being scraped, the particulate material travels through the distribution chamber 112 and out through the distribution tubes 122 as a cloud of particulate material 197.

[112] Figure 33 shows the distribution of a particulate matter cloud 197 over a high row crop 198. Only one pair of precision dosing devices 100 is shown in use for clarity, although in normal operation one or more pairs of precision dosing devices 100 are used together to apply solid particulate matter to a plurality of high row crops 198 simultaneously. Also shown is a piston 178 contained in a solid particulate matter receptacle 176 connected to a field machine 102 by means of a support net 104. In the configuration shown, eight devices 100 are connected to a field machine 102. The solid particulate matter receptacles 176 are shown containing solid particulate matter 196. The precision dosing devices 100 of the configuration shown comprise a vertical compression tube 109 connected to a distribution chamber 112.Each distribution chamber 112 has a material outlet 188 that feeds one side of an applicator 117, such as an adjustable arc row applicator 118, via a distribution tube 116. In the configuration shown, the solid particulate material 196 that has been scraped off in the distribution chamber 112 is carried through the distribution tubes 120 by the fan 114. The particulate material 196 is carried to the crops in high rows 198 through. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 54 / 109 42 / 47 of the application tips 120 and is shown exiting the application tips 120 as a cloud of particulate matter 197.

[113] FIG. 34 shows another configuration of the present invention, in which the storage container 106 is not shared between two screw channels 108 and, instead, is fixed to only one screw channel 108. The screw channel 108 is connected to a compaction tube 109 (not shown), which feeds a distribution chamber 112. At the top of the distribution chamber 112 there is a fan 114. The distribution chamber 112 further includes two distribution funnels 142 connected to the bottom of the distribution chamber 112. The distribution funnels 142 are connected to the application tips 120 by distribution tubes 122.

[114] FIG. 35 shows a rear view of the configuration of FIG. 34, showing the applicator 117 in more detail. The support 144 connects the applicator to a support net 104 (not shown). Also shown are two articulation elements 146, each connected to a reinforcement 148. Each reinforcement 148 is connected to a distribution tip 120 and to an adjustable-length leg member 150. Attached to the end of the adjustable-length leg members is a guide member 152.

[115] FIG. 36 shows a side view of the configuration of FIG. 34. A screw tube 110 is shown, together with a screw motor 126. Also shown is a screw position adjustment mechanism 125 connected to a screw position adjustment motor 127. Also shown is a distribution chamber 112 connected to the screw tube 110. A fan 114 is shown mounted above the distribution chamber 112. Also shown is a distribution funnel 142 connected to the distribution chamber 112 to an application tip 120 by a distribution tube 122. EXAMPLES Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 55 / 109 43 / 47

[116] Example 1. Experiments were conducted to measure the impact of different configurations of the invention on pollen viability. A total of nine experiments were performed by mounting different configurations of the invention on field equipment and using them to apply pollen. The amount of pollen effectively applied varied in the experiments from 1 to 2 liters per acre. In addition, the speed of the field equipment varied in the experiments from 4.5 to 6 miles per hour. The pollen used was mixed with an additive in a ratio of one part pollen to five parts additive. A negative control was also performed, where no pollen was applied, as well as a test involving the manual application of pure pollen without additive. The groupings that do not share a letter are significantly different. The results are shown below in Table 1A. Table 1A - Results of experiments testing the effectiveness of the invention in dosing live pollen while maintaining viability. Applicator / Tubes Number of Ears Average Grain Count Grouping Screw with metering plate with long tubes 650 94 A Screw with metering plate with short tubes 747 92 A Piston impeller with short tubes 922 77 B Squirrel cage metering device with long tubes 375 45 C Squirrel cage metering device with short tubes 337 61 D

[117] Table 1B below shows the normalized grain count for the various configurations, based on the results of the experiments. The normalized grain count was calculated by taking the observed grain count for each configuration tested, subtracting the observed grain count for the negative control, and then dividing that Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, pp. 56 / 109 44 / 47 number by grain count for manually applied pollen, minus the grain count for the negative control. Table 1B - Results of experiments testing the effectiveness of the invention in dosing live pollen, maintaining normalized viability in relation to the negative control. Applicator / Tubes Number of Ears Average Grain Count Grouping Screw with metering plate with long tubes 650 0.28 A Screw with metering plate with short tubes 747 0.26 A / B Piston impeller with short tubes 922 0.26 A / B Squirrel cage metering device with long tubes 375 0.23 B Squirrel cage metering device with short tubes 337 0.28 A / B

[118] Table 2A shows the average grain count for selected experiments. Specifically, experimental trials with results in which all treatments had an average of less than 50 grains were not included in the dataset, as the low overall grain count indicated that the results may have been affected by external environmental conditions. Table 2A - Results of selected experiments testing the effectiveness of the invention in pollen dosing, while maintaining viability. Applicator / Tubes Number of Ears Average Grain Count Grouping Screw with metering plate with long tubes 382 140 A Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, pp. 57 / 109 45 / 47 Screw with dosing plate with short tubes 392 149 A Piston impeller with short tubes 474 125 B Squirrel cage doser with long tubes 202 55 C Squirrel cage doser with short tubes 164 95 D

[119] Table 2B below shows the normalized grain count for the various configurations in selected experiments. The normalized grain count was calculated by taking the observed grain count for each configuration tested, subtracting the observed grain count for the negative control, and then dividing that number by the grain count for the manually applied pollen, minus the grain count for the negative control. In addition, experimental trials with results in which all treatments had an average of less than 50 grains were not included in the dataset, as the low overall grain count indicated that the results were affected by external environmental conditions. Table 2B - Results of selected experiments testing the effectiveness of the invention in pollen dosing, maintaining normalized viability relative to the negative control. Applicator / Tubes Number of Ears Average Grain Count Grouping Screw with metering plate with long tubes 382 0.34 A Screw with metering plate with short tubes 392 0.37 A Piston impeller with short tubes 474 0.30 B Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, pp. 58 / 109 46 / 47 Squirrel cage dispenser with long tubes 202 0.12 C Squirrel cage dispenser with short tubes 164 0.23 D

[120] As can be seen in the table, the metering plate with short distribution tubes showed the best performance in maintaining pollen integrity. Consequently, for the configurations of the present invention designed to distribute viable pollen, the metering plate design would be preferable due to the higher seed production compared with some of the alternative configurations. However, anyone with minimal knowledge of the art would recognize that all configurations demonstrated at least some effectiveness in distributing pollen to receptive plants while maintaining the viability of said pollen.

[121] Although several representative configurations of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, someone with at least basic knowledge in the field could make numerous changes to the disclosed configurations without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive matter set forth in the descriptive report and claims. In some cases, in the methodologies directly or indirectly set forth in this document, several steps and operations are described in a possible order of operation, but someone with at least basic knowledge in the field will recognize that steps and operations can be rearranged, substituted, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all the content of the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted only as illustrative and not limiting.Changes to details or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[122] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the configurations described above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, pp. 59 / 109 47 / 47 Substantial improvements and / or equivalents, whether known or currently foreseen, may become apparent to someone with minimal knowledge of the art. Listing the steps of a method in a particular order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. Consequently, the configurations of the invention presented above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to encompass all previously known or developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantial equivalents. Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, pp. 60 / 109

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. Precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100) for the precise distribution of particulate matter by means of metered compression and scraping of said particulate matter, characterized in that said precision dosing apparatus (100) comprises: a) a delivery system; b) a dosing apparatus; and c) a storage device.

2. Precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that said precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100) is mounted on field equipment.

3. Precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100), according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising a compression device.

4. Precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100), according to claim 3, characterized in that the compression device is a shaftless helical screw (124).

5. Precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100), according to claim 3, characterized in that the compression device is a piston (178).

6. Precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said dosing apparatus (100) comprises a rotating dosing plate (140). Petition 870250083426, dated 16 / 09 / 2025, page 61 / 109 2 / 4 7. Precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that said dosing apparatus (100) comprises a rotary impeller (170).

8. Precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that said shaftless helical screw (124) comprises: a) shaftless helical screw (128) predominantly coextensive with said compression tube (109); and b) a position adjustment mechanism.

9. Precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100) according to claim 8, characterized by further comprising a screw channel (108) between said storage container (106) and said compression device.

10. Precision dosing and delivery apparatus (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the dispensing system comprises at least one fan (114) and at least one applicator (117).

11. Precision pollen dosing and distribution apparatus (100) for the precise distribution of viable pollen by means of metered compression and scraping of said pollen, characterized in that said precision pollen dosing and distribution apparatus (100) comprises: a) a compression device; b) a delivery system; c) a dosing apparatus; d) a compression tube (109); e) a compression zone (134) between the terminal end of said compression device and the terminal end of said compression tube (109); f) at least one applicator (117).

12. Precision pollen dosing and distribution apparatus (100), according to claim 11, characterized in that the applicator (117) further comprises at least one guide member (152) and at least one application tip (120).

13. Precision pollen dosing and distribution apparatus (100), according to claim 12, characterized in that the applicator (117) is an arc applicator comprising at least one applicator tip (120) on each side of the arc.

14. A viable method for distributing pollen to plants, characterized by comprising: a) compressing disaggregated pollen into a semi-solid form; b) scraping said pollen from said semi-solid form at a consistent rate; and c) distributing the scraped pollen to the stigma of said plant.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the compression step occurs by means of a shaftless helical screw (124).

16. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the compression step takes place by means of a piston (178).

17. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the scraping step occurs by means of a dosing plate (140). Petition 870250083426, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 63 / 109 4 / 4 18. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the scraping step takes place by means of an impeller (170).

19. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the distribution step occurs by means of an air supply system.

20. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the semi-solid form is a circular disc (111). Petition 870250083426, dated 16 / 09 / 2025, pp. 64 / 109

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