Apparatus, method and system for reconfiguring items

Abstract

Apparatuses, methods, and systems for reconfiguring some or all content from one or more first containers into a second container are provided. In an example of the apparatus, the apparatus has a dispensing system having a dispenser to dispense content from one container into another, and a delivery system adapted to reconfigure the dispensed content from the one container into another container. In another example, a method includes dispensing selected contents from one container and reconfiguring the dispensed contents from the one container into another. In another example, the system includes a controller, a machine controlled by the controller, wherein the machine has a pair of container handlers, a content dispenser, and a content delivery system. The controller is adapted to control the machine using a selection criterion to operate the content dispenser to dispense selected content from one container to move with the delivery system into another container.

1 . A method for reconfiguring some or all content from a first container into a second container with an automated machine, the method comprising:
 providing container holders, and a dispenser and a content handler configured to operate cooperatively with each other;   rupturing selected content from confinement within said first container using said dispenser; and   reconfiguring ruptured content from said first container into said second container using said content handler located between and in communication with said first and second containers.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising identifying locations of selected seed in said first container and indexing location of selected seed when moved to said second container using a manual or machine readable identifier associated with said first container and said second container. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising rupturing content from said first container with a mechanical force associated with said dispenser acting on said first container. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising shuttling an outlet of said content handler to a position relative to said second container to move seed from said first container through an inlet of said content handler and to said outlet to deposit into said second container for reconfiguring content from said first container to said second container. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising basing content selection rupturing from said first container based upon a predefined selection criterion, wherein said predefined selection criterion is based upon:
 a. at least one biological trait; 
 b. at least one genetic trait; 
 c. at least one phenotypic trait; 
 d. morphological traits; 
 e. field layout; or 
 f. pedigree. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 a. providing said automated machine having first and second container handlers, a dispensing system having said dispenser, and a seed delivery system having said content handler; 
 b. positioning said dispenser relative to said first container being held by said first container handler; 
 c. positioning an outlet of said content handler at a desired seed depositing location in said second container being held by said second container handler; 
 d. selecting seed to dispense from said first container and move to said desired seed depositing location in said second container based on a seed selection criterion; 
 e. rupturing selected seed from confinement within said first container; and 
 f. passing seed from said rupturing step into said content handler for reconfiguring dispensed seed into said second container. 
 
     
     
         7 . An automated system for reconfiguring some or all seed in one or more first containers into a second container using a predefined seed selection criterion, said system comprising:
 an intelligent control in communication with a controller;   a seed reconfiguration machine operable by said controller receiving instructions from said intelligent control based on said predefined seed selection criterion; and   said controller adapted to use information known about seed in said first container to select and rupture seed from confinement within said first container to be moved into said second container according to said seed selection criterion.   
     
     
         8 . The automated system of  claim 7  wherein the seed reconfiguration machine further comprises a first holding position adapted to hold a first container and a second holding position adapted to hold a second container. 
     
     
         9 . The automated system of  claim 8  wherein the seed reconfiguration machine further comprises a dispensing system having a dispenser operating in working relation to said first holding position, said dispenser moveable with respect to said first holding position to dispense selected seed from said first container based upon said seed selection criterion. 
     
     
         10 . The automated system of  claim 9  wherein the seed reconfiguration machine further comprises a delivery system having a guideway with a collector at an inlet of said guideway, said inlet in communication with a nozzle at an outlet of said guideway, said outlet in communication with said second container in said second holding position, said nozzle shuttleable with respect to said second container to reconfigure seed from said first container into said second container. 
     
     
         11 . The automated system of  claim 10  wherein the seed reconfiguration machine further comprises a first multi-axis shuttle for positioning said dispenser relative to said first container and a second multi-axis shuttle for positioning said nozzle relative to said second container.