Liquid Seed Dressing via Dual Asymmetrical Centrifugal Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seed treatment methods for small seed lots are inefficient, leading to non-uniform application, contamination, and ergonomic issues, particularly for genetically modified seeds, which are valuable and require precise treatment to ensure biological efficacy and prevent carryover of chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a dual asymmetrical centrifugal mixing motion using a FlackTek Model 150 FVZ-K SpeedMixer to uniformly coat small seed lots with a liquid composition, ensuring high biological efficacy post-planting and eliminating contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid seed dressing is applied by shaking seeds in a jar, then the treatment process is simple, but the application is non-uniform and contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of shaking seeds in a jar with an automated fluid delivery system. A syringe or similar dispensing device delivers liquid seed dressing through a controlled mechanism, eliminating the need for manual shaking while ensuring uniform distribution of the dressing solution across all seeds in the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid delivery system as an intermediary between the liquid seed dressing and the seeds. This intermediary mechanism (syringe, dispensing device, or controlled pouring system) mediates the transfer of dressing material, ensuring precise and uniform application without direct manual handling that causes contamination and non-uniform distribution.
2Reliability
If atomization nozzles and dressing containers are cleaned thoroughly, then carryover is eliminated, but the cleaning process becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable atomization nozzles and dressing containers that are discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for thorough cleaning between treatments, as each component is fresh and uncontaminated for the next seed treatment. The cost of disposable components is offset by the significant time savings and elimination of carryover contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the cleaning operation from the treatment process by using disposable components. Instead of cleaning and reusing the same atomization nozzles and containers, the system extracts these components as single-use items, eliminating the time-consuming cleaning step while maintaining reliability through fresh, uncontaminated equipment for each treatment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If liquid seed dressing is applied to small seed lots, then the treatment can be performed, but the process becomes delicate and awkward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic fluid delivery system that can adapt to small seed lot sizes. The syringe or dispensing device allows precise control of liquid delivery, enabling the operator to adjust the amount of dressing applied based on the specific seed quantity. This dynamic control makes the process easier to manage for small lots compared to fixed-rate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows for partial application of liquid seed dressing tailored to the specific size of the seed lot. Instead of requiring full container volumes, the disposable system enables operators to apply only the necessary amount of dressing, making the process more manageable and less awkward for small seed lots while maintaining effective treatment coverage.
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 provides uniformly coated seeds with high biological efficacy, reduces contamination, and simplifies the treatment process, making it user-friendly and efficient for small seed lots, including genetically modified seeds.
Implementation Method 1
applying a dual asymmetrical centrifugal mixing motion to the small seed lot and the liquid composition for a sufficient amount of time to surface coat the seeds in the small seed lot. The dual asymmetrical centrifugal mixing motion causes said liquid composition to uniformly spread and subsequently dry onto each seed surface
Implementation Method 2
The dual asymmetrical centrifugal mixing motion causes said liquid composition to uniformly spread and subsequently dry onto each seed surface in the small seed lot
Data Source
AI summary
A method of dressing seeds is disclosed. The method utilizes a seed treatment slurry which is applied to seed by subjecting the seed and seed treatment slurry to a dual asymmetrical centrifugal mixing motion. The method provides uniformly dressed seeds and is suitable for dressing small seed lots.