Monsanto Technology LLC

Other

Phillip L Rahn

Kevin Lee Deppermann

Jennifer Listello

Angela R Cargill

Angela Ranae Koestel

Larry L Chandler

An automated seed sampler system for removing tissue from seeds includes an orientation system configured to orient seeds in a desired orientation, a sampling station configured to remove tissue from each of the oriented seeds, a sample collection subsystem configured to receive the tissue removed from each of the oriented seeds, and a seed collection subsystem configured to receive each of the seeds from which the tissue is removed. The sample collection subsystem and the seed collection subsystem are configured to facilitate a one-to-one correspondence between the seeds received at the seed collection subsystem and the tissue removed from the seeds and received at the sample collection subsystem.

Automated contamination-free seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds

An automated seed sampler system includes an orientation system configured to orient a seed, and a sampling station configured to remove tissue from the oriented seed. In addition, a method for removing tissue from seeds includes positioning multiple seeds together in a desired orientation in a seed transport subsystem, and removing tissue from the oriented seeds while the seeds are in the seed transport subsystem.

An automated seed sampler system includes an imaging device for obtaining images of seeds, an orienting device for orienting the seeds based on the images, and a sampling station for removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the system also includes a transport subsystem for supporting the oriented seeds and conveying the oriented seeds to the sampling station. A method for removing tissue from seeds includes imaging the seeds, orienting the seeds based on image information obtained from the seeds, and removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the method also includes transporting the oriented seeds in a transport subsystem to a sampling station for removing the tissue from the oriented seeds, and/or collecting the tissue removed from the oriented seeds so that a one-to-one correspondence exists between the tissue and the sampled seeds, and/or analyzing the tissue for characteristics indicative of genetic and/or chemical traits.

A method is provided for removing tissue samples from seeds. The method generally includes orienting the seeds in a desired orientation and removing tissue samples from the oriented seeds. The method may also include orienting the seeds in the desired orientation using an actuator, where the actuator is configured to position the seed in a desired orientation. In addition, the method may include orienting the seeds together in a seed transport and removing tissue samples from the oriented seeds while the oriented seeds are in the seed transport. Further, various operations of the method may be automated as desired, for example, to permit greater sampling throughput than was previously practical.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an automated seed sampler system that includes a milling station for removing at least a portion of seed coat material from a seed and a sampling station for extracting a sample of seed material from the seed where the seed coat has been removed. A seed transport subsystem conveys the seed between the milling station and the sampling station and a seed deposit subsystem conveys the seed from the seed transport subsystem to a selected well in a seed tray after the seed has been sampled.

A system for recovering VOC contaminants from a surface or subsurface release. In one embodiment, the invention includes at least one horizontal trench having a perforated casing laid therein. One end of the casing is attached to a vacuum pump by means of a vertical riser. Clean stone is laid over the pipe to form an elongated collector and the surface of the trench is capped to minimize surface air and water infiltration. A suitable vacuum is applied and the VOC contaminates migrate first into the stone within the trench and then into the horizontal casing(s). The VOC contaminants move along the casings and up the vertical riser into a suitable container or directly discharged into the air. In a second embodiment, intermediate ones of the horizontal trenches are pressurized either by air or liquid fluids in either a heated or unheated state to improve the rate of migration of the VOC contaminates into the other alternating ISVE trenches exerting a negative pressure. In a third embodiment, vertical wells are used as the source of the pressurized fluid in place of the intermediate horizontal trenches.

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Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Phillip L Rahn