Patents by Inventor Sam R. Eathington

Sam R. Eathington has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8028469
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an automated seed sampling and sorting system. The system includes an imaging station for collecting image data of a set of seeds and a seed orientation station for independently positioning each seed in the set in a desired orientation based on the collected image data. The system further includes a seed sample and sort station for extracting a sample from each seed in the set, sorting each sample to a sample tray and sorting each sampled seed to a seed tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
  • Publication number: 20080317279
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an automated seed sampling and sorting system. The system includes an imaging station for collecting image data of a set of seeds and a seed orientation station for independently positioning each seed in the set in a desired orientation based on the collected image data. The system further includes a seed sample and sort station for extracting a sample from each seed in the set, sorting each sample to a sample tray and sorting each sampled seed to a seed tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
  • Publication number: 20080310674
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for sorting seeds based on identified phenotypes of the seeds. In various embodiments, the system includes an optics and controller station structured and operable to collect image data of a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of side portions of each respective seed in a set of seeds, and to analyze the collected image data to determine whether each seed exhibits a desired phenotype. The system further includes a seed loading, transporting and sorting station structured and operable to singulate each seed of the set of seeds from a plurality of seeds in a bulk seed hopper, transport the set of seeds to the optics and controller station, and selectively sort each seed to a respective one of a plurality of seed repositories based on whether each respective seed exhibits the desired phenotype.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Steven H. Modiano, Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham