Abstract: A feeding device singulates, orients, and delivers seeds and other comparatively smooth-surfaced particulate material to a desired destination. The device comprises a horizontal rotating drum having an inner surface cut with a spiral groove for orienting ellipsoid-shaped particles and advancing them to the location of pickup orifices within the drum. A vacuum valve alternately subjects the orifices to vacuum and ambient pressure for picking up the individual particles and releasing them to the desired point of delivery.

Abstract: An automated grain characterization system includes grain crushing apparatus; a means for singulating kernels of grain and feeding them into the crushing apparatus; a means for measuring kernel size; a circuit for measuring kernel conductance; and a data acquisition and analysis subsystem for correlating crushing force, size, and conductivity to grain hardness. The output is a profile of the grain characteristics which can be compared to reference samples. This system is especially useful for grading and classifying wheat and predicting its end-use functional properties.