DEVICE FOR SAMPLING PLANT MATERIAL
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for collecting samples of material from plants which comprises:
- a base member;
a formed aperture mounted on the base member;
a punch tube formed with a hollow lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end, the punch tube being mounted on the base member for movement between a first location wherein the distal end of the punch tube is at a distance from the formed aperture to establish a gap therebetween for receiving a plant specimen therein, and a second location wherein the distal end of the punch tube is in contact with the formed aperture to cut a plug from the plant specimen;
a punch rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the punch rod being coaxially mounted in the lumen of the punch tube for movement therein between a first position wherein the distal end of the punch rod is proximal to the distal end of the punch tube and a second position wherein the distal end of the punch rod is distal to the distal end of the punch tube; and
a drive mechanism for selectively moving the punch tube from its first location to its second location to cut a plug from the plant specimen, and for initiating a subsequent movement of the punch rod from its first position to its second position to remove the cut plant specimen plug from the formed aperture for collection thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for collecting plant samples includes a punch and die mechanism for taking leaf plugs from plants. The punch itself includes a punch rod coaxially mounted inside a punch tube. In use, the punch tube has a distal end with two, diametrically opposed projections that interact with the formed aperture to cut a plug from a plant leaf. The punch rod then follows to remove a cut leaf plug from the formed aperture. Also included is a hydraulic subsystem for periodically delivering liquid on the punch and die mechanism to prevent plant debris from clogging the device.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for collecting samples of material from plants which comprises:
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a base member; a formed aperture mounted on the base member; a punch tube formed with a hollow lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end, the punch tube being mounted on the base member for movement between a first location wherein the distal end of the punch tube is at a distance from the formed aperture to establish a gap therebetween for receiving a plant specimen therein, and a second location wherein the distal end of the punch tube is in contact with the formed aperture to cut a plug from the plant specimen; a punch rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the punch rod being coaxially mounted in the lumen of the punch tube for movement therein between a first position wherein the distal end of the punch rod is proximal to the distal end of the punch tube and a second position wherein the distal end of the punch rod is distal to the distal end of the punch tube; and a drive mechanism for selectively moving the punch tube from its first location to its second location to cut a plug from the plant specimen, and for initiating a subsequent movement of the punch rod from its first position to its second position to remove the cut plant specimen plug from the formed aperture for collection thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device for collecting samples of material from plants which comprises:
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a base member; a mechanical means mounted on the base member for cutting a plug from a plant specimen; an electronic means mounted on the base member for selectively activating the cutting means; and a hydraulic means mounted on the base member for irrigating the cutting means to prevent clogging of the device with solid and liquid plant debris. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for using a device to collect samples of material from plants wherein the device comprises a base member, an annular shaped formed aperture mounted on the base member, a punch tube formed with a hollow lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end, the punch tube being mounted on the base member for movement between a first location wherein the distal end of the punch tube is at a distance from the formed aperture to establish a gap therebetween for receiving a plant specimen therein, and a second location wherein the distal end of the punch tube is in contact with the formed aperture to cut a plug from the plant specimen, and a punch rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the punch rod being coaxially mounted in the lumen of the punch tube for movement therein between a first position wherein the distal end of the punch rod is proximal to the distal end of the punch tube and a second position wherein the distal end of the punch rod is distal to the distal end of the punch tube, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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positioning a plant specimen in the gap; and moving the punch tube from its first location to its second location to cut a plug from the plant specimen, and to initiate a subsequent movement of the punch rod from its first position to its second position to remove the cut plant specimen plug from the formed aperture for collection thereof. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification