Systems for the control and use of fluids and particles
First Claim
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1. A method of planting, comprising the steps of:
- mixing seeds with gel in proportions in which the gel has a ratio of less than three parts to one part of seed in volume;
the step of mixing seeds with gel in proportions in which the gel has a ratio of less than three parts to one part of seed in volume includes the step of preparing a gel with enough high density material in the gel to exert force on solid seeds and move them together with a semisolid and randomly mixing the seeds in the gel wherein the gel is capable of keeping particles suspended for an extended period of time;
conveying said seeds to a nozzle;
dropping said seeds from said nozzle in a controlled time sequence; and
moving said nozzle along a field at a rate of time correlated with the time of separation of said seeds.
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Abstract
The configuration of a feedstock material is controlled by bringing it into contact with at least a first gas moving against it at a location with an area and thickness of the feedstock liquid that forms drops or fibers of a selected size. In one embodiment, drops of agricultural input materials are formed for spraying on agricultural fields. In another embodiment, nanofibers of materials such as chitosan or metals are formed. In another embodiment seeds are planted with gel. In another embodiment particles carrying desired agricultural inputs with modified release characteristics are delivered.
60 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of planting, comprising the steps of:
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mixing seeds with gel in proportions in which the gel has a ratio of less than three parts to one part of seed in volume; the step of mixing seeds with gel in proportions in which the gel has a ratio of less than three parts to one part of seed in volume includes the step of preparing a gel with enough high density material in the gel to exert force on solid seeds and move them together with a semisolid and randomly mixing the seeds in the gel wherein the gel is capable of keeping particles suspended for an extended period of time; conveying said seeds to a nozzle; dropping said seeds from said nozzle in a controlled time sequence; and moving said nozzle along a field at a rate of time correlated with the time of separation of said seeds. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of planting comprising the steps of:
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mixing seeds with gel in proportions in which the gel has a ratio of less than three parts to one part of seed in volume; conveying said seeds to a nozzle; dropping said seeds from said nozzle in a controlled time sequence; moving said nozzle along a field at a rate of time correlated with the time of separation of said seeds; and
at least one of the step of mixing selected microorganisms with said seeds, whereby said seeds are infected by endogenous bacteria;
the step of adding peroxide to the gel; and
the step of adding an oxygen emitting material to the gel.
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13. A method of planting comprising the steps of:
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mixing seeds with gel in proportions in which the gel has a ratio of less than three parts to one part of seed in volume; conveying said seeds to a nozzle; dropping said seeds from said nozzle in a controlled time sequence; moving said nozzle along a field at a rate of time correlated with the time of separation of said; and at least one of the steps of preparing a gel having a viscosity of at least 180 centipoises; and
the step of mixing the gel to a viscosity having a density which is within 20 percent of the density of the seed;
the step of mixing the gel to a viscosity sufficient to hold seeds of the density used for at least ten minutes in suspension without the seeds falling within the gel more than six inches; and
the step of mixing seeds with gel includes the step of mixing the seeds with gel no more than four days prior to planting; and
the step of mixing the seeds with gel includes the step of mixing the seeds within six hours of the time of planting.
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Specification