Seed Ablation for Removing Appendages and Improving Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bulky seeds with appendages such as remnant floral bracts, awns, and surface hairs pose challenges in storage, handling, and transportation due to their large volume and difficulty in dispersion, especially under adverse weather conditions, and existing coating methods face issues with adhesion and integrity due to the flexible nature of these appendages.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for ablating seeds using a heat source, such as a flame, to remove unwanted hairs and awns, generating a moving stream of seeds that are exposed to a flame with a pre-combustion, main reaction, and post-combustion zone, allowing for efficient removal of appendages and improved coatability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If seeds are coated with filler materials and binders to reduce bulkiness, then storage efficiency improves, but coating adhesion deteriorates due to flexible appendages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing appendages from seeds before the coating process. The ablation device eliminates hairs, awns, and bracts prior to coating, ensuring that the coating material adheres to a smooth seed surface without interference from flexible appendages that would cause cracking or poor adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the problematic appendages (hairs, awns, bracts) from the seed surface before coating. This extraction of disturbing elements allows the coating material to bond effectively to the seed body without being compromised by the flexible, protruding appendages.
2Quantity of substance
If seeds with appendages are stored in large quantities, then seed availability improves, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by removing the appendages that contribute to excessive volume. By eliminating hairs, awns, and bracts, the seed mass occupies less storage space while maintaining the same seed quantity, thereby improving storage efficiency without compromising seed availability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bulky seeds are transported over long distances, then seed distribution range improves, but transportation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by removing the appendages that create bulkiness and handling difficulties. The ablated seeds have reduced volume and no flexible protrusions to catch or tangle, making them significantly easier to transport mechanically and manually while maintaining the same distribution capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bulky seeds are dispersed manually or mechanically, then seed dispersal capability improves, but dispersion difficulty increases under adverse conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by removing the appendages that interfere with dispersal mechanisms. Without flexible hairs and awns to catch on equipment or entangle during handling, the seeds can be dispersed more easily both manually and through mechanized systems, particularly under adverse weather conditions.
5Reliability
If coating is applied to seeds with appendages, then seed protection improves, but coating integrity deteriorates due to cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing appendages before coating application. This ensures that the coating is applied to a stable, appendage-free surface, preventing the cracking and delamination that would occur if flexible hairs and awns were present during the coating process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies extraction by removing the appendages that cause coating instability. By eliminating these flexible elements before coating, the coating material forms a continuous, intact layer that maintains its protective function without cracking or separating.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively reduces the bulkiness of seeds by removing appendages, enhancing coatability and seed germination potential, while also improving the integrity and uniformity of the coating process, leading to increased storage efficiency and easier handling and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
A method for ablating seeds, the method comprises the step of exposing at least one seed to at least one heat source
Implementation Method 2
the heat source comprises a flame that comprises a pre-combustion zone, a main reaction zone and a post-combustion zone
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for seed ablation. In accordance with the method of seed ablation, the apparatus is adapted to expose a heat source to a plurality of seeds while the seeds are in motion. Exposing of the heat source to the moving seed allows ablation of the seeds for de-awning and removing of the appendages of the seeds. In a particular arrangement the seeds are exposed to rotational movement within a centrifugal drum to form a rotating stream of seeds. A torch which reaches into the drum provides a flame directed to the stream of seeds for exposing the seeds to the flame. This allows the ablation of the seed awns and appendages over time as seeds enter into contact with the flame.