Method of destroying seeds
First Claim
1. A method of treating a seed sample to prevent germination of seeds in the sample and to render seeds in the seed sample safe for disposal comprising:
- subjecting the seed sample to a combination of steam and microwaves operative to heat the seed sample to a treatment temperature effective to inactivate seeds in the seed sample to prevent germination and reproduction of the seeds; and
subjecting the seed sample to an effective ozone concentration operative to degrade herbicides and pesticides present in the seed sample and operative to inactivate pathogenic organisms present in the seed sample, wherein the seeds are subjected to microwaves and ozone simultaneously.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of sterilizing seeds comprises heating the seeds to substantially 95° C. or higher and maintaining same at that temperature for substantially 30 minutes. Preferably a combination of steam and microwaves is used to maintain the temperature. Dampening the seeds with steam and water at the start of the process helps the microwaves work more efficiently in maintaining temperature. The method further comprises treating the seeds with ozone which functions both to sterilize seeds as well as to sterilize pathogenic organisms and to degrade residual herbicides, pesticides and like chemicals that may be present in a seed sample. An auger conveyor (7) carries the seed through the process. Temperature sensors (13) monitor the temperature of the seeds and control the speed of the auger so that the seeds are maintained at substantially 95° C. for substantially 30 minutes prior to exiting the output end of the auger conveyor (7). Ozone sensors (17) monitor ozone concentration in order to maintain a concentration of ozone effective to sterilize biological materials as well as to degrade residual chemicals present in seed samples. The auger (7) continuously agitates the seed to expose the seeds to the microwaves and ozone.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of treating a seed sample to prevent germination of seeds in the sample and to render seeds in the seed sample safe for disposal comprising:
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subjecting the seed sample to a combination of steam and microwaves operative to heat the seed sample to a treatment temperature effective to inactivate seeds in the seed sample to prevent germination and reproduction of the seeds; and subjecting the seed sample to an effective ozone concentration operative to degrade herbicides and pesticides present in the seed sample and operative to inactivate pathogenic organisms present in the seed sample, wherein the seeds are subjected to microwaves and ozone simultaneously. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of treating a seed sample to prevent germination of seeds in the sample and to render seeds in the seed sample safe for disposal comprising:
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subjecting the seed sample to a combination of steam and microwaves operative to heat the seed sample to a treatment temperature effective to inactivate seeds in the seed sample to prevent germination and reproduction of the seeds; and subjecting the seed sample to an effective ozone concentration operative to degrade herbicides and pesticides present in the seed sample and operative to inactivate pathogenic organisms present in the seed sample, wherein the seeds are subjected to microwaves first and then subjected to ozone. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of treating a seed sample to prevent germination of seeds in the sample and to render seeds in the seed sample safe for disposal comprising:
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subjecting the seed sample to a combination of steam and microwaves operative to heat the seed sample to a treatment temperature effective to inactivate seeds in the seed sample to prevent germination and reproduction of the seeds; subjecting the seed sample to an effective ozone concentration operative to degrade herbicides and pesticides present in the seed sample and operative to inactivate pathogenic organisms present in the seed sample; and further passing the seeds through a shredder roller to break open the seeds before subjecting the seed sample to the combination of steam and microwaves. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification