US4628633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Germination improving seed capsule and method of preparing the same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-05-26
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Granted: 1986-12-16
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Expires: 2003-05-26
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to plant seeds enclosed by a germination improving capsule (1, 2) having a water absorbing ability, which capsule by water absorption may form a loose, partially light transmitting structure enclosing the seed (5), which structure may easily be penetrated by the germinating seed. A suitable capsule material is compressed peat. The invention also relates to a method of preparing such seed capsules.
Inventors
- 👤 Lars G. Nilsson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:13
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C1/00; A01C1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of preparing a seed capsule which when subjected to ambient moisture conditions will swell to form a loose, partially light transmitting structure enclosing the seed but easily penetrated by the germinating seed, comprising the steps of: pre-compressing a material to form a plate thereof, the pressure substantially being exerted in at least one first direction generally parallel to the plate plane; compressing the plate obtained in a second direction substantially normal to the plate plane into a sheet comprised of a layer of a plurality of generally spherical capsule bodies, each capsule having a central hexagonal peripheral portion, the hexagonal peripheral portions of adjacent capsule bodies being connected by thin material portions such that the capsule bodies are substantially hexagonally close-packed in said sheet thereof; in said compressing step forming a radial recess in each capsule body extending substantially from the center thereof; inserting a seed into each radial recess; sealing each recess by a plug member; separating the individual seed capsules from each other.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of preparing a seed capsule which when subjected to ambient moisture conditions will swell to form a loose, partially light transmitting structure enclosing the seed but easily penetrated by the germinating seed, comprising the steps of: pre-compressing a material to form a plate thereof, the pressure substantially being exerted in at least one first direction generally parallel to the plate plane; compressing the plate obtained in a second direction substantially normal to the plate plane into a sheet comprised of a layer of a plurality of generally spherical capsule bodies, each capsule having a central hexagonal peripheral portion, the hexagonal peripheral portions of adjacent capsule bodies being connected by thin material portions such that the capsule bodies are substantially hexagonally close-packed in said sheet thereof; in said compressing step forming a radial recess in each capsule body extending substantially from the center thereof; inserting a seed into each radial recess; sealing each recess by a plug member; separating the individual seed capsules from each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 which additionally comprises the step of applying a protective coating on each seed capsule.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said pre-compression step is performed to obtain said material plate in the form of a substantially round disc, the compression pressure being applied substantially radially thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said material is dry, short-fibre pulverized peat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A seed capsule comprising a substantially spherical body formed in one piece by compression of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of mineral wool, paper pulp, peat, plastic and combinations thereof; and having a radial recess extending substantially from the center thereof, a plug member sealing the peripheral end of said recess, said recess and said sealing member defining a seed room, and a seed located in said seed room, said substantially spherical body comprising a peripheral portion of hexagonal configuration substantially coaxial to said radial recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
A seed capsule comprising a substantially spherical body formed in one piece by compression of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of mineral wool, paper pulp, peat, plastic and combinations thereof; and having a radial recess extending substantially from the center thereof, a plug member sealing the peripheral end of said recess, said recess and said sealing member defining a seed room, and a seed located in said seed room, said substantially spherical body comprising a peripheral portion of hexagonal configuration substantially coaxial to said radial recess.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A seed capsule according to claim 5, wherein said material includes peat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A seed capsule according to claim 6, wherein said material body has a volume swelling capacity in water absorption of about 10-30 times, by volume.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A seed capsule according to claim 6, wherein said seed is a conifer seed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seed capsule according to claim 6, wherein said plug member is made of said material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-15 | 1990-06-16 | 1990-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-15 | 1994-06-16 | 1994-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-15 | 1998-06-16 | 1998-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |