Device for Encapsulating Seeds and a Method

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for encapsulating seeds. The device comprises a transport unit provided with a sequence of supports positioned along a transport path. Each support is arranged for supporting a multiple number of capsules at predefined locations and the transport unit is arranged for intermittently transporting the supports in a transport direction along the transport path to a loading position, respectively. The device further comprises a filling unit provided with a multiple number of seed releasing modules for, in a loading position of a support, substantially simultaneously releasing seeds above corresponding capsule locations on a particular support.

1 . A device for encapsulating seeds, comprising a transport unit provided with a sequence of supports positioned along a transport path, each support being arranged for supporting a multiple number of capsules at predefined locations, the transport unit being arranged for intermittently transporting the supports in a transport direction along the transport path to a loading position, respectively, the device further comprising a filling unit provided with a multiple number of seed releasing modules for, in a loading position of a support, substantially simultaneously releasing seeds above corresponding capsule locations on a particular support. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the multiple number of seed releasing modules is arranged as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a multiple number of filling units for substantially simultaneously releasing material above predefined capsule locations on at least two supports. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the seed releasing modules comprises at least one of a pneumatic release system, a valve system, an oscillating plate system and a needle system. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a support comprises a tray for supporting capsules at the predefined locations. 
     
     
         6 . A method of encapsulating seeds, comprising the steps of:
 providing a sequence of supports positioned along a transport path;   providing a multiple number of capsules at predefined locations on a support;   intermittently transporting the supports in a transport direction along the transport path to a loading position, respectively; and   in a loading position of a support, substantially simultaneously releasing seeds above corresponding capsule locations.   
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of filling units comprises at least one of a pneumatic release system, a valve system, an oscillating plate system and a needle system.