Abstract: A feeder assembly includes a feeder unit and an open top portable storage vessel defining an interior chamber. The feeder unit includes a feeder and a coupler securing the feeder to the vessel. The feeder defines a feed opening in communication with the interior chamber. The feeder includes a conveyance assembly in communication with the feed opening. The coupler is selectively secured to the feeder and independently selectively secured to the vessel, such that the coupler selectively secures the feeder to the vessel. The feeder unit facilitates dispensation of a material from the vessel. The method includes the steps of securing the vessel to the feeder, such that the feed opening is in communication with the interior chamber through the open top; collectively inverting the vessel and the feeder; and operating the feeder such that material from the vessel is dispensed by the feeder.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a cellular architecture for enhanced privacy regarding identity and location of a computing device is disclosed. The architecture includes a privacy gateway connected to the core packet forwarding gateway, where the privacy gateway is configured to authenticate the computing device while hiding the identity of the computing device by verifying authentication tokens that represent units of access. The architecture further includes an over-the-air (OTA) gateway configured to select an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) from a pool of valid IMSIs and deliver the selected IMSI to a subscriber identity module (SIM) card of the computing device, where the SIM card periodically shuffles the pool of valid IMSIs.

Abstract: A weigh belt assembly includes a weigh belt that has first and second spaced apart rollers and an endless belt trained around the rollers to present a belt run configured to support particulate material. The rollers each have a rotational axis. The assembly also includes a belt drive operably coupled with at least one of the rollers for rotation thereof in order to move the belt run in a direction toward the second roller. The assembly also includes apparatus for delivery of quantities of particulate material onto the moving belt run at a position between the first and second rollers. The assembly further comprises a pivot assembly including a shiftable component operably coupled with the weigh belt in order to permit pivoting and downward deflection of the weigh belt under the load of the particulate material deposited on the belt run. A device for measuring the load experienced by the weigh belt during the deflection thereof is provided.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the field of the biotechnology, and relates to novel Streptococcusbacteria which are useful as antimicrobial agents, particularly against caries and periodontal disease. The invention relates to compositions and functional food comprising the novel bacteria. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel bacterial strain, deposited at the Colección Española de Cultivos Tipo, with accession number CECT 9174, which has proven to be useful in the prevention and treatment of caries and periodontal disease.

Abstract: A seed coating assembly (16) includes a housing (36) with a high-speed rotary coating atomizer (66) therein, and a relatively slow speed rotatable body (42) equipped with through-slots (44) located above the atomizer (66) in a location to divert and evenly spread incoming seeds prior to coating thereof. The body (42) is preferably a substantially circular disk mounted coaxially with the atomizer (66) at a distance of from about 1.5-10 inches above the atomizer (66).

Abstract: A seed coating assembly (16) includes a housing (36) with a high-speed rotary coating atomizer (66) therein, and a relatively slow speed rotatable body (42) equipped with through-slots (44) located above the atomizer (66) in a location to divert and evenly spread incoming seeds prior to coating thereof. The body (42) is preferably a substantially circular disk mounted coaxially with the atomizer (66) at a distance of from about 1.5-10 inches above the atomizer (66).

Abstract: A batch coater assembly (20) includes an upright coater container (24) with a container-supporting lift frame assembly (26). In use, particulate materials such as seed are introduced into the container (24) and coated therein. After coating, the assembly (26) is employed to lift the container (24) to a position permitting placement of a bin (22) beneath the container (24), so that coated particulates can be directly transferred from the container (24) to the bin (22). This permits rapid batch coating of particulates from the bin (22), with refilling of the bin (22) after the coating operation. An optional dust hood assembly (28) can be employed during delivery of coated particulates to the bin (22), in order to capture dust incident to the particulate delivery.

Abstract: A batch coater assembly (20) includes an upright coater container (24) with a container-supporting lift frame assembly (26). In use, particulate materials such as seed are introduced into the container (24) and coated therein. After coating, the assembly (26) is employed to lift the container (24) to a position permitting placement of a bin (22) beneath the container (24), so that coated particulates can be directly transferred from the container (24) to the bin (22). This permits rapid batch coating of particulates from the bin (22), with refilling of the bin (22) after the coating operation. An optional dust hood assembly (28) can be employed during delivery of coated particulates to the bin (22), in order to capture dust incident to the particulate delivery.

Abstract: A self-contained seed tender (20) includes a plurality of bins (48) as well as a conveyor system (30) with a lower conveyor (32) and a shiftable lift conveyor (34). The lift conveyor (34) is shiftable between a stowed, travel position astride the bins (48) and a central, rearwardly extending delivery position. A deployment assembly (38) serves to sequentially pivot the lift conveyor (34) about an upright axis, followed by lateral translation thereof to the central use position. The conveyor (34) can then be rotated and elevated as desired for off-loading of seeds. The tender (20) may also be used for delivery of other types of agricultural particulates.

Abstract: A system and method for more accurately weighing a product on a continuous weigh belt. The system includes a processing element for determining a flow rate and a total weight of the product at a plurality of points on the weigh belt. A length of the weigh belt between product entrance and exit points is divided into discrete measurement units, or “buckets.” The weight of product in each bucket is determined. The total weight of product that has reached the entrance, exit, and one or more intermediate points on the weigh belt is determined by adding the weight of product attributed to all of the buckets that have reached each point. The flow rate of the product at these points is determined based on the weight of the product attributed to the particular bucket at each point and the speed of the weigh belt.

Abstract: A self-contained seed tender (20) includes a plurality of bins (48) as well as a conveyor system (30) with a lower conveyor (32) and a shiftable lift conveyor (34). The lift conveyor (34) is shiftable between a stowed, travel position astride the bins (48) and a central, rearwardly extending delivery position. A deployment assembly (38) serves to sequentially pivot the lift conveyor (34) about an upright axis, followed by lateral translation thereof to the central use position. The conveyor (34) can then be rotated and elevated as desired for off-loading of seeds. The tender (20) may also be used for delivery of other types of agricultural particulates.

Abstract: A method for stereo image rectification includes receiving a plurality of images and determining a matrix for performing rectification on the plurality of images based on a first cost function and a second cost function. The first cost function may be associated with a distance of a corresponding pair of points from among the plurality of images. The second cost function may be associated with distortion in a converted image.

Abstract: A batch-type particulate treating apparatus (10) includes an upright bin or hopper (20) equipped with a central, rotatable lifting augur (68) having a bored shaft (70) and helical flighting (80, 82). Coating liquid passes through the bore (72) of shaft (70), and is delivered through ejectors (86, 88) mounted on the augur flighting (80, 82). A pneumatic assembly (16) serves to direct pressurized air upwardly through a clearance (96) between the augur base and the adjacent inner surfaces of hopper (20). In operation, liquid coating material is ejected into the particulates during rotation of the augur (68) and operation of the pneumatic assembly (16), in order to uniformly and efficiently coat the particulates. The apparatus (10) is particularly designed for treating of seeds.

Abstract: A thio-selective radioactive labeling agent has the following general formula: *R-L-VS, wherein said *R is a radioisotope, L is a linking group, and VS is a vinylsulfone functional group.

Abstract: A batch-type particulate treating apparatus (10) includes an upright bin or hopper (20) equipped with a central, rotatable lifting augur (68) having a bored shaft (70) and helical flighting (80, 82). Coating liquid passes through the bore (72) of shaft (70), and is delivered through ejectors (86, 88) mounted on the augur flighting (80, 82). A pneumatic assembly (16) serves to direct pressurized air upwardly through a clearance (96) between the augur base and the adjacent inner surfaces of hopper (20). In operation, liquid coating material is ejected into the particulates during rotation of the augur (68) and operation of the pneumatic assembly (16), in order to uniformly and efficiently coat the particulates. The apparatus (10) is particularly designed for treating of seeds.

Abstract: An improved seed metering wheel assembly is provided to deliver a substantially constant flow of seed to a downstream treating device or the like, without any substantial surging of seeds. The seed metering wheel assembly includes an axially rotatable metering wheel having a plurality of strategically sized and arranged seed metering openings therethrough, arranged in circular arrays of differently sized metering openings. In another embodiment, the seed metering wheel includes a central hub section and an outermost rib, with a series of ribs between the hub section and rim, which lie along respective non-diameter chords. Incoming seed is delivered from a seed hopper outlet by gravitation to the metering wheel, which preferably provides a substantially constant open area while preventing wholly unobstructed flow of seeds.

Abstract: A particulate material treating system (458) includes a loss-in-weight particulate material bin assembly (460), a particulate material metering device (462), and a downstream treater (464) yielding a treated material output (468). A controller (470) is employed to determine the flow rates of material from the bin assembly (460) using loss-in-weight calculations, and this information is used to at least in part control the operation of the metering device (462).

Abstract: Integrated, stand-alone, multiple-purpose pump stands are provided for controlled pumping of different liquids from a stand-mounted tank to a downstream use location, e.g., a seed treating device. The pump stands are equipped with an operating assembly including a liquid tank, a powered pump, a liquid flow line equipped with a flow meter from the tank and pump to the use location, and a programmable digital control device. During operation, the control device serves to approach and maintain the flow rate from the pump stand at or about a desired setpoint flow rate.

Abstract: An improved seed metering wheel assembly is provided to deliver a substantially constant flow of seed to a downstream treating device or the like, without any substantial surging of seeds. The seed metering wheel assembly includes an axially rotatable metering wheel having a plurality of strategically sized and arranged seed metering openings therethrough, arranged in circular arrays of differently sized metering openings. In another embodiment, the seed metering wheel includes a central hub section and an outermost rib, with a series of ribs between the hub section and rim, which lie along respective non-diameter chords. Incoming seed is delivered from a seed hopper outlet by gravitation to the metering wheel, which preferably provides a substantially constant open area while preventing wholly unobstructed flow of seeds.

Abstract: An improved seed metering wheel assembly is provided to deliver a substantially constant flow of seed to a downstream treating device or the like, without any substantial surging of seeds. The seed metering wheel assembly includes an axially rotatable metering wheel having a plurality of strategically sized and arranged seed metering openings therethrough, preferably arranged in circular arrays of differently sized metering openings. Incoming seed is delivered from a seed hopper outlet by gravitation to the metering wheel, which preferably provides a substantially constant open area while preventing wholly unobstructed flow of seeds.