Abstract: A voice-mail platform in which a voice message can be combined with a sound sample such that the combined message contains background noise to enhance the persuasiveness of the message. The voice message and the sound sample may be stored either together or separately and can be forwarded from an original recipient to a third party recipient with or without the sound sample. The voice message can be recorded while the user is listening to the selected sound sample. Further, a user can store a personal audio stationary to select sound samples which accompany voice messages.

Abstract: A tagging machine acts to automatically insert label tags into selected compartments of a seed tray as the tray passes under the machine.A cartridge loaded with tags feeds the tags one by one to a breach channel. A pair of extractor fingers lift the tag in the breach channel, onto a deflector which deflects the emerging end of the tag between a pair of displacement fingers. Once the displacment fingers have received the tag they drive the tag back along the channel in the opposite direction to discharge the tag into the seed tray.As the tag is moved in a direction to be discharged from the channel it displaces the extractor fingers out of the channel. The fingers are only brought back into the channel to lift the next tag, when the displacement fingers return to their tag receiving position.

Abstract: A seeding machine has a drum and roller urged together to define a seed trough. Bristles close one end of the trough and a hopper adjacent that end feeds a continuous supply of seeds to the trough. The seeds flow along the length of the trough and are discharged at the opposite end of the trough which is open. A funnel collects the discharged seeds and returns them to the hopper. The drum is provided with a series of axially extending rows of holes which are coupled to a vacuum source as each row passes through the tumbling seeds in the trough. A single seed is attracted to each hole and is carried by the drum to a discharge location where the hole in question is disconnected from the vacuum source and instead connected to a source of pressure which then acts to eject the seed from the drum.

Abstract: A seeding machine has a drum and roller urged together to define a seed trough. Bristles close one end of the trough and a hopper adjacent that end feeds a continuous supply of seeds to the trough. The seeds flow along the length of the trough and are discharged at the opposite end of the trough which is open. A funnel collects the discharged seeds and returns them to the hopper. The drum is provided with a series of axially extending rows of holes which are coupled to a vacuum source as each row passes through the tumbling seeds in the trough. A single seed is attracted to each hole and is carried by the drum to a discharge location where the hole in question is disconnected from the vacuum source and instead connected to a source of pressure which then acts to eject the seed from the drum.

Abstract: Soil plug release apparatus is arranged to release plugs of soil from a tray of the type having an array of compartments arranged in rows and columns with each compartment having a hole in the base thereof. The apparatus has a pair of support members held in parallel spaced relationship, and a bridge member spanning the support members and having a curved upper surface, in which there is a row of spaced openings; the spacing between the openings corresponds to the spacing of the holes in a row of tray compartments. A pair of guides guide a tray between the support members transversely over the upper surface of the bridge. The guide means are such as to deform the underside of the tray to conform to the curvature of the bridge member at the point the tray passes over the bridge member. A plurality of cylinders each arranged to store a discrete bolus of air, are coupled one to each opening. The bolus of air is released from each cylinder when the holes in a row of compartments become aligned with the openings.

Abstract: A machine for picking up seeds from a mass of seeds and depositing the seeds individually comprises a row of suction heads each having a suction duct terminating in an orifice and a container for holding the mass of seeds. The row of heads are pivotally mounted and are provided with a driving mechanism which swings the heads to and fro along a path between a pick-up position in which each of the orifices is adjacent the container and a discharge position in which seeds picked up by suction through the orifices are discharged. In order to enable each head to discharge at the discharge position only a single natural seed rather than a pelleted seed, a wiper member is provided and extends parallel to the row of heads in their path between the pick-up position and the discharge position. The wiper member has a curved surface and the heads swing close to this surface just before they reach the discharge position.

Abstract: An air pressure-operated membrane pump for pumping a liquid comprises a housing including a chamber which is divided into liquid and air compartments by a floppy flexible membrane extending across it. The air compartment has an air inlet and outlet connected by a duct to the throat of a venturi to which an air supply under pressure is connected. The outlet from the venturi is controlled by a control valve which is itself opened and closed by the movement of the diaphragm to which a closure member of the valve is connected by a control member. When the valve is open, air flows through the venturi and causes air to be drawn from the air compartment of the pump to move the diaphragm in a direction to draw liquid into the liquid compartment in an intake stroke. At the end of this stroke, the part of the membrane to which the control member is fixed moves and closes the control valve.