Method and device for delivering viable microorganisms in seed lubricant to seed supply
A package 10 comprises a main body 12 for containing a seed lubricant; and a chamber 24 for retaining microorganisms in a viable state, wherein the main body 12 and the chamber 24 are separated by a disruptable dividing member 32 , and further comprising a mechanism for disrupting the dividing member 32 such that the seed lubricant and the microorganisms may be blended just prior to deployment on a seed planter and wherein the main body 12 , the chamber 24 and the disrupting member form an integral package suitable for providing the blend of seed lubricant and viable microorganisms to seeds in a seed planter.
1 . A package comprising:
a main body storing a seed additive;
a lid removably coupled to the main body, the lid defining an opening and at least one chamber disposed within the opening, the chamber retaining microorganisms in a viable state;
a dividing member separating the main body and the chamber; and
a disrupting mechanism that disrupts the dividing member such that the seed additive and the microorganisms form a mixture thereof.
2 . The package of claim 1 , wherein the at least one chamber is integrated into the lid.
3 . The package of claim 1 , wherein the dividing member is tearable, frangible, puncturable, rupturable, dissolvable, movable or a combination thereof.
4 . The package of claim 1 , wherein the disrupting member is manually actuated to disrupt the dividing member.
5 . The package of claim 1 , wherein the disrupting mechanism comprises a push-button on a top side of the chamber, the push-button accessible from above the lid when the chamber is disposed within the opening thereof, and wherein the push-button is operably connected to a plunger disposed within the chamber to move the plunger to tear, puncture, rupture, dissolve, or move the dividing member to release the microorganisms from the chamber.
6 . The package of claim 1 , wherein the seed additive is a seed lubricant comprising at least one of talc, graphite, wax, or polymer.
7 . A package for delivering viable microorganisms to a seeder and/or planter, the package comprising:
a body portion comprising a first chamber storing a seed additive;
a lid portion coupled to the body portion, the lid portion defining an opening;
a capsule comprising a second chamber, the capsule positionable at least partially within the opening of the lid portion, wherein the second chamber contains microorganisms in a viable state;
a dividing member separating the microorganisms in the second chamber from the seed additive in the first chamber; and
a deployment mechanism that disrupts the dividing member such that the microorganisms are released from the second chamber of the capsule and into the first chamber of the body portion, wherein the microorganisms are mixed into the seed additive forming a mixture thereof.
8 . The package of claim 7 , wherein the dividing member is tearable, frangible, puncturable, rupturable, dissolvable, movable or a combination thereof.
9 . The package of claim 7 , wherein the deployment mechanism is at least partially disposed within the second chamber, such that actuation of the disrupting mechanism disrupts the dividing member to release the microorganisms from the second chamber into the first chamber.
10 . The package of claim 9 , wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a push-button on a top side of the capsule, the push-button accessible from above the lid portion when the capsule is positioned within the opening thereof, and wherein the push-button is operably connected to a plunger disposed within the second chamber to move the plunger to tear, puncture, rupture, dissolve, or move the dividing member to release the microorganisms from the capsule.
11 . The package of claim 7 , wherein the seed additive is a seed lubricant comprising at least one of talc, graphite, wax, or polymer.
12 . The package of claim 7 , wherein the dividing member is a sealing member to seal the second chamber of the capsule when the dividing member is not disrupted.
13 . The package of claim 7 , wherein the capsule extends from a top side of the lid portion and into the body portion storing the seed additive therein, such that the deployment mechanism is accessible from outside the body portion and the microorganisms are released into the first chamber.
14 . The package of claim 7 , wherein the lid portion comprises one or more recessed surfaces for holding accessories or tools for transferring the mixture of the seed additive and the microorganisms from the first chamber to at least one of a planter box, a seed hopper, or a seed container for application to seeds.
15 . The package of claim 7 , wherein the lid portion defines a plurality of openings, and the package further comprises a plurality of capsules storing microorganisms therein, the plurality of capsules positionable within the plurality of openings.
16 . A method of delivering viable microorganisms to a seeder and/or a planter, the method comprising:
providing a lid defining an opening, a capsule positionable in the opening, wherein the capsule comprises microorganisms within a first chamber at least partially defined by a disruptable dividing member;
attaching the lid to a container defining a second chamber, the container storing a medium to be delivered to the seeder and/or the planter, wherein the disruptable dividing member separates the microorganisms from the medium;
disrupting the disruptable dividing member via a disrupting mechanism to release the microorganisms from the capsule and into the medium stored within the container to form a mixture thereof, and
applying the mixture of microorganisms and medium to seeds.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising pushing a top portion of the capsule to move a plunger of the disrupting mechanism disposed inside the first chamber to disrupt the disruptable dividing member.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
transporting and storing the container with the lid attached thereto and the capsule positioned within the opening of the lid, such that the microorganisms are separated from the mixture; and
disrupting the disruptable dividing member after waiting until a time proximate planting of seeds via the seeder or the planter to mix the microorganisms and the medium.
19 . The method of claim 18 , disrupting the disruptable dividing member after waiting one or more days from storing the container to mix the microorganisms and the medium.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the medium is a seed lubricant, and wherein the method further comprises depositing the mixture of microorganisms and seed lubricant into at least one of the seeder, the planter, or the seed container to apply the mixture to seeds stored therein.