Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Deppermann
Kevin L. Deppermann 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).
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Publication number: 20130260366Abstract: An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8548222Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating and sorting seeds based on characteristics of the seeds. One method generally includes collecting image data from different parts of the seeds, and then analyzing the collected image data to determine if the seeds exhibit at least one or more characteristics. The seeds can then be sorted to desired seed repositories based on whether or not the seeds exhibit the at least one or more characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
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Patent number: 8539713Abstract: A method is provided for removing tissue samples from seeds. The method generally includes orienting the seeds in a desired orientation and removing tissue samples from the oriented seeds. The method may also include orienting the seeds in the desired orientation using an actuator, where the actuator is configured to position the seed in a desired orientation. In addition, the method may include orienting the seeds together in a seed transport and removing tissue samples from the oriented seeds while the oriented seeds are in the seed transport. Further, various operations of the method may be automated as desired, for example, to permit greater sampling throughput than was previously practical.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Jennifer Listello, Phillip Rahn, Angela Koestel
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Publication number: 20130244321Abstract: An automated system for sampling seeds generally includes an automated sampling station having a seed feeder and a seed sampler. The seed feeder is configured to deliver seeds to the seed sampler, and the seed sampler is configured to remove material from the seeds without substantially adversely affecting the germination viability of the sampled seeds. The system also includes a sample handling station configured to receive the material removed from the seeds, and a seed handling station configured to receive the sampled seeds after the material is removed from the seeds such that the relationship between the material removed from the seeds and the respective seeds can be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLCInventor: Kevin L. Deppermann
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Publication number: 20130235188Abstract: A system prepares plant specimens, tracks the plant specimens, captures images of the plant specimens, and evaluates growth parameters of the plant specimens in the captured images. The system prepares receptacles by placing a predetermined quantity of gel, if required by a particular test, into a receptacle and a layer of material, if required by a particular test, on top of the gel. The system separates a quantity of seeds into individual seeds and places an individual seed in each receptacle between the gel layer and the cover layer. The receptacles are then arrayed into decks and carts and subjected to controlled stress conditions and conditions conducive to germination and growth. An image capture device captures backlit images of the receptacles, and a processor analyzes the captured images for growth parameters of the plant specimens and enters those parameters into a database together with a unique identifier of the plant specimen.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2011Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Brad D. White, Nathalie Vignaux, Phillip Guy
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Patent number: 8501480Abstract: A method of accumulating a quantity of seeds having a desired fatty acid characteristic is provided. The method includes removing a sample from each seed in a population of seeds while maintaining the germination viability of the seeds; contacting each sample with a solvent to form a mixture comprising fatty acid methyl esters; analyzing the mixture of fatty acid methyl esters from each sample to determine the fatty acid profile of the corresponding seed; selecting seeds having at least one desired fatty acid characteristic based on the analysis of the samples removed from the seeds; cultivating plants from the selected seeds; recovering seeds from the cultivated plants, wherein the recovered seeds are a subsequent generation of the selected seeds; and repeating the operations for one or more generations of the recovered seeds to thereby accumulate the quantity of seeds having the desired fatty acid characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Luis A. Jurado, Dutt V. Vinjamoori, Pradip K. Das
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Publication number: 20130192135Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the selection of individual seeds from a plurality of seeds and placement on a seed tape. The system includes a seed extraction assembly, a distribution manifold, and a tamping assembly. The seed extraction assembly is configured to extract selected individual seeds from a tray, the seed extraction assembly movably attached to a frame. The distribution manifold has a plurality of queues and each of the plurality of queues has a plurality of reservoirs for receiving the selected individual seeds. Each queue has a tube in selective communication with the plurality of reservoirs for the transfer of the selected individual seed from the reservoir to the tube. The tamping assembly is configured to place the selected individual seed disposed in each of the tubes onto a defined location on the seed tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Brian Jacob Forinash, Travis Frey, Marcus McNabnay, Charles Larry Badino, Andrew M. Singleton
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Publication number: 20130192134Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the selection and removal of seeds from containers and placement of the seeds on a seed tape. The systems include a seed extraction assembly and a seed tape assembly. The seed extraction assembly is configured to extract individual seeds from a tray and place the seeds within an accumulator. The accumulator is disposed in the extraction assembly and is rotatable within the assembly. The seed tape assembly is configured to place the seed disposed in the accumulator onto the seed tape. The method includes the steps of using the seed extraction assembly to extract seeds from the tray and place them within the accumulator. The seed tape assembly is then used to place the seed disposed in the accumulator onto the seed tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Travis Frey, Marcus McNabnay, Brian Jacob Forinash, Charles Larry Badino
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Publication number: 20130152836Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the planting of a seed tape. The system includes a frame configured for coupling to a tractor, a furrow opening device attached to the frame, and a furrow closing device attached to the frame. In one embodiment, a seed tape guide assembly is attached to the frame and has a tamping arm for guiding the seed tape. In another embodiment, a seed tape wheel is attached to the frame by a mounting arm and positioned within at least a portion of the furrow opening device. The mounting arm is biased by a biasing member and the seed tape wheel is forcibly pressed by the mounting arm into contact with the furrow.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Brian Jacob Forinash, Travis Frey, Marcus McNabnay
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Patent number: 8443545Abstract: An automated system for sampling seeds includes a seed loading station for separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds held in a seed hopper, an imaging station configured to receive the separated seeds from the seed loading station and collect image data of the received seeds, and a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue samples from the seeds after the image data of the seeds is collected. And, an automated method for sampling seeds includes separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, imaging the separated seeds, and removing tissue samples from the imaged seeds.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8436225Abstract: A population of seeds wherein substantially all of the seeds in the population have a portion of seed tissue removed by an automated sampling system. Substantially all of the seeds in the population have the presence or absence of at least one transgene in common, and/or substantially all of the seeds in the population have a high recurrent parent allele frequency. The presence or absence of the at least one transgene in the seeds in the population and/or the recurrent parent allele frequency in the seeds in the population is determined by analyzing the portion of seed tissue removed from the seeds by the automated sampling system.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Michael W. Petersen
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Patent number: 8434259Abstract: A seed sampler system generally includes an automated sampling station configured to orient a seed and remove a tissue sample from the oriented seed. The seed sampler system may include a support configured to orient a seed received by the support, and an automated sampling mechanism configured to remove a tissue sample from the oriented seed.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventor: Kevin L. Deppermann
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Publication number: 20130104454Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for removing selected ellepots from a plurality of germination ellepot trays and remapping the selected ellepots to a planting ellepot tray is provided. The method can include placing one of a plurality of germination ellepot trays onto an ellepot ejection dock of an ellepot workstation. Each germination ellepot tray comprises an array of ellepot receptacles having an ellepot disposed in each receptacle, wherein each ellepot is populated with a plant germinating therein. The method can additionally include, acquiring tray information identifying the respective germination ellepot tray, and automatically dislodging one or more selected populated ellepots from the respective germination ellepot tray utilizing the acquired germination ellepot tray information. Subsequently, each dislodged populated ellepot is sequentially transferred from the respective germination ellepot tray to one of a plurality of receptacles of a planting ellepot tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L Deppermann, Dario Bernacchi, Matthew J. Weis, Travis J. Frey
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Publication number: 20130079917Abstract: In various embodiments, a small object sorting system includes an object tray cart docking station configured to dock an object tray cart here within. The system additionally includes an automated tray removal and positioning subsystem configured to remove an object tray from the object tray cart, selectively position the tray such that selected small objects can be extracted therefrom, and replace the object tray into the object tray cart. Furthermore, the system includes an automated collection assembly positioning subsystem configured to selectively position a collection assembly such that the selected extracted small objects can be deposited into selected object receptacles, and an automated object extraction subsystem configured to extract the selected small objects and deposit each extracted small object into the selected object receptacles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, David W. Finley, Elias J. Yannakakis
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Patent number: 8401271Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating and sorting seeds based on characteristics of the seeds. One system includes an imaging and analysis subsystem that collects image data from the seeds and analyzes the collected image data for characteristics of the seeds. This subsystem can include an imaging theater having mirrors that reflect image data from the seeds to an imaging device for collection. The system can also include an off-loading and sorting subsystem configured to sort the seeds based on their characteristics. And, one method includes illuminating the seeds and collecting image data from the seeds for determining their characteristics. The image data can be collected from at least three portions of the seeds at each of a plurality of sequentially changing spectral wavelengths. In addition (or alternatively), the image data can be collected from top and bottom portions of the seeds using a single imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
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Patent number: 8312672Abstract: The present invention provides for novel methods to facilitate germplasm improvement activities through the use of high throughput, nondestructive sampling of seeds. A method for analyzing a population of haploid seeds generally includes providing a population of seeds comprising haploid seeds, removing tissue samples from a plurality of the seeds in the population using an automated seed sampler system while preserving the germination viability of the sampled seeds, and analyzing the tissue samples for the presence or absence of one or more characteristics indicative of at least one genetic or chemical trait.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Michael W. Petersen, David Butruille, Stanton Dotson, Sam Eathington, Heather Forbes, Bruce Schnicker, John Tamulonis
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Publication number: 20120288854Abstract: An automated system for sampling seeds includes a seed loading station for separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds held in a seed hopper, an imaging station configured to receive the separated seeds from the seed loading station and collect image data of the received seeds, and a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue samples from the seeds after the image data of the seeds is collected. And, an automated method for sampling seeds includes separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, imaging the separated seeds, and removing tissue samples from the imaged seeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8281935Abstract: An automated machine is used to handle and manipulate individual pieces of particulate matter. The particulate matter is contained in a bin. The machine operates to pick single individual pieces of the particulate matter from the bin. The picked individual pieces are then conveyed for further handling. Pneumatic transport is primarily used for the conveying operation. One aspect of the handling involves individually weighing each piece of the picked particulate matters. Another aspect of the handling involves sorting the individual pieces of particulate matter into a plurality of receptacles. Yet another aspect of the handling involves both weighing and then sorting the individual pieces of particulate matter, wherein the sorting operation may be performed based upon the measured weight of each piece.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventor: Kevin L. Deppermann
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Publication number: 20120228199Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating and sorting seeds based on characteristics of the seeds. One system includes an imaging and analysis subsystem that collects image data from the seeds and analyzes the collected image data for characteristics of the seeds. This subsystem can include an imaging theater having minors that reflect image data from the seeds to an imaging device for collection. The system can also include an off-loading and sorting subsystem configured to sort the seeds based on their characteristics. And, one method includes illuminating the seeds and collecting image data from the seeds for determining their characteristics. The image data can be collected from at least three portions of the seeds at each of a plurality of sequentially changing spectral wavelengths. In addition (or alternatively), the image data can be collected from top and bottom portions of the seeds using a single imaging device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Steven H. Modiano, Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham
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Patent number: 8245439Abstract: A seed sampling system includes a seed transport configured to hold multiple individual seeds together as a group and transport the multiple individual seeds together as the group, and to allow the multiple individual seeds to be oriented, substantially simultaneously, while the multiple individual seeds are being held in the seed transport. The seed sampling system also includes a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue from the oriented multiple individual seeds. And, a method for removing tissue from the multiple individual seeds includes loading the multiple individual seeds in the seed transport, orienting the multiple individual seeds in the seed transport substantially simultaneously, and removing tissue from the oriented multiple individual seeds.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: 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