Abstract: A method for distributing granules may include transporting a hopper along a roof while releasing granules through a valve of the hopper, thereby depositing a line of granules on the roof. Another method for distributing granules may include adjusting a valve of a container mounted on a cart, depositing a predetermined width of the granules though the valve onto the roof while driving the cart along a roof, and covering a seam between adjacent sheets of roofing material with the granules. A device for depositing granules on a roof may include a hopper, and a valve, where granules stored in the hopper flow directly through the valve to the roof in response to gravity when the valve is at least partially opened, and where the flow of the granules is not assisted by an agitator, an auger, or air pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for bagging sand, grit, mud, earth and wet granulates such as mortar and organic compost, using a single structure comprising a storage silo, a vibrator assembly, a metering device, a weighing device and a support structure. Space and time are optimized, ergonomics and ease of use are improved, and the final product is standardized.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements relating to injection of water-absorbent polymers, including a blend containing fine granules, using one or more air-blown, plowblade applicators. The process creates a "blanket" of moisture-retaining particles for the plant roots. A further aspect of the invention includes drawing a plowblade through the soil at an appropriate shallow angle and speed to establish a wave in the soil, together with the use of a deflector and control over the air pressure, all of which maximizes diffusion and distribution of the injected particles.

Abstract: A hand tool for dispensing particulate matter such as seeds comprises a V-section scoop with a handle incorporating a vibrator mechanism. A labyrinth type barrier arrangement serves to contain a reservoir of seeds in the scoop and to permit controlled flow of the seeds from the reservoir when the tool is held at an angle and vibrations are applied. A barrier arrangement at the dispensing end portion of the scoop effects final separation of the seeds prior to discharge.

Abstract: A high-speed transplanter is described for mechanical transplanting of seedlings in grow blocks formed into easily handled modules. The transplanter includes cutting blades for separating the modules into files, delivery tubes for downwardly moving the files into spaced-apart positions above furrows, wheels for pulling off individual blocks and placing them at zero ground speed within the furrows, and an assembly for detecting dud blocks (having no seedling) and advancing a file by an extra block length to provide a seedling block for the wheels. This system depends on the probability that finding two non-germinated seeds in consecutively linear sequence is much lower than the percentage of non-germinated seeds within a pattern of randomly distributed seeds.

Abstract: An automatic seed planter which includes an elongate, upwardly-opening V-shaped trough with front and rear ends defining a longitudinally extending, upwardly opening seed-conducting channel, a seed receiving chamber at the front end of the trough, elongate guide means in the chamber overlying the channel to pass seed from the chamber downwardly and longitudinally rearwardly into the rear end portion of the channel, means to vibrate the trough and cause seed in the chamber to migrate past the guide and into the channel at a predetermined rate, and a seed discharge opening at the rear end of the channel.