AUTOMATED SEED PROCESSING APPARATUS

摘要

Apparatus for the automation of processing of seeds including a vibratory rail for advancing individual seeds to a desired location and for orienting each seed to a common and consistent orientation is described. The rail has a side member and a side wall that together define a cross-sectional profile that is different at the entry of the seed than at the approach to the desired location and the side member is adjustable relative to said side wall to adapt the profile of the rail to improve the efficiency of consistency in orientation of seed of different sizes, shapes or weights. In a preferred embodiment, rails specific to a species of seed are adapted be use the same mounting sites and at least some of the same sensors and seed removal devices so that a machine for the automated processing of seeds can be quickly and easily converted to process seeds of diverse species.