Abstract: An agricultural seed planter and seed meter therefore, wherein the seed meter includes a rotary vacuum drum disposed within a stationary housing to entrain individual seeds on an annular circumferential periphery of the drum. As the entrained seeds rotate with the drum the seeds are singulated before being released from said vacuum drum. The seed metering and dispensing device is adapted to be mounted below the seed hopper to discharge the seeds into a seed tube as is conventional, or alternatively the seed metering and dispensing device is preferably adapted for mounting just above the soil surface and between the furrow opening assembly and furrow closing wheel assembly of a conventional agricultural planter such that the seeds are deposited directly into the seed furrow.

Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed that is particularly suitable for dispensing packaged items such as bandages or membrane filters. The dispenser is provided with a magazine for holding the items, with a distribution assembly for exposure and distribution of the items, an ejector operable in advance/feed and disposal modes, and with a separating assembly for separation of the item from its packaging.

Abstract: A seed metering system includes a first metering member having a first bearing surface and a second metering member having a plurality of seed engaging surfaces adapted to engage seeds and a second bearing surface positioned against the first bearing surface. The second metering member moves relative to the first metering member. At least one depression extends into the second bearing surface opposite the first bearing surface.

Abstract: A precision air planter for plot planting includes a metering unit with separate seed systems which may be selectively activated to allow alternately planting various seed types from one plot to the next. A rotary encoder provides location information which is used by a microprocessor to calibrate the system, control seed planting and spacing, control plot length and spacing and record data related to the planted plots.

Abstract: A defective capsule removing mechanism is provided wherein a defective capsule discharging window is provided for a capsule pocket and the capsule pocket, is subject to suction through the discharging window so that a cap or a body of a coupling defective capsule is drawn into the defective capsule discharging window in a rolling manner from one end side directed forwardly and then discharged to the outside of the capsule pocket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing a product at a toll station. In accordance with the present invention, a first method is disclosed for distributing a product at a toll station. The method includes receiving an account identifier to identify an account. The method further includes outputting an offer to distribute a product. The offer may include offer criteria such as price in the case of a sale, or rental period, rental fee and extra fees such as late fees in the case of a rental. The method further includes detecting acceptance of the offer and dispensing the product. The method also includes processing a transaction based on the account identifier and the offer criteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for sowing individual seed grains. The inventive machine comprises at least one hopper (14) that is open towards a vertical sowing disc (1) that consists of a stationary disc body (3) which is exposed to suction on the side facing away from the hopper (14) and has at least one guiding slot (16). The sowing disc also consists of a conveyor disc (4) that can be driven, rests on the disc body (3) on the side of the hopper (14) and has carrier slots (21) that are distributed over the circumference, extend over the radial extension area of the guiding slot (16) and, together with the guiding slot (16), form aspir.

Abstract: A tag placement apparatus useful for placing a tag or label into communication with a container. The tag placement apparatus includes at least one tagging head having a linear slot in which a cam portion of a tag placement arm assembly reciprocally travels in response to a cylinder stroke to which it is attached. The tagging apparatus further includes an encoder for translating the roller rotation of a conveyor assembly into belt position and travel which in turn regulates the speed in which the reciprocal movement of the tag placement arm operates during use.

Abstract: A labeler includes at least one bellows movable between extended and retracted positions. The bellows includes a cap defining a distal end for carrying the label and having at least one cap opening therein, and a pleated sidewall connected to the cap. The labeler includes a flexible coil tube positioned within the bellows and having a distal end connected in fluid communication with the cap openings and a proximal end for being connected to negative and positive fluid pressure, respectively. A positioner advances the bellows along a path of travel between a label pick-up position and a label application position. A pressure controller selectively connects the bellows and the proximal end of the flexible coil tube to negative and positive fluid pressures as the bellows is advanced along the path of travel.

Abstract: A seed metering device includes a roller nip for mounting beneath a seed reservoir. The nip is formed by first and second opposed facing nip forming surfaces mounted beneath, and aligned with, the reservoir wherein the first nip forming surface is a radially-outer surface of a soft resilient roller. The roller is rotatable by a roller drive in a first rotational direction so as to draw down through the nip, by frictional engagement of the seeds in the nip with the surface of the resilient roller, seeds falling into the nip. The nip is an elongate, curved, thin wedge-shaped nip providing an increased dwell time for seeds being compressed in the nip.

Abstract: A vacuum seed planter uses a single seed plate for planting multiple plots of seeds. The seed plate rotates through a seed chamber and uses vacuum pressure to pick up seeds to be planted, the seed chamber having an inlet passage for receiving seeds. A singulator dislodges excess seeds from the seed plate, and the excess seeds fall into an excess-seed compartment adjacent the seed chamber, the compartment having an outlet passage for evacuation of the excess seeds. A valve is movable between an operating position, in which the inlet passage communicates with a supply of seed and the outlet passage communicates with a vacuum source for evacuating excess seeds, and an evacuation position, in which the vacuum source is in communication with the inlet passage for evacuating the seeds in the seed chamber. Vacuum pressure on the seed plate can be maintained during evacuation of the seed chamber and excess-seed compartment.

Abstract: A planter apparatus includes a seed meter including a housing assembly with a cover releasably connected to a shell. The housing assembly includes at least one opening formed therein adjacent a seed discharge area to promote the release of seeds from a disc rotatably attached to the housing assembly. The disc divides an interior of the housing assembly to include a vacuum chamber and a seed chamber. The disc including a plurality of openings formed adjacent a periphery of the disc. The planter apparatus may also include a singulator assembly having rotatably spools, a rotatable chute door, a disc having clusters of openings for simultaneous release, and a one-piece baffle.

Abstract: A planter apparatus includes a seed meter including a housing assembly with a cover releasably connected to a shell. The housing assembly includes at least one opening formed therein adjacent a seed discharge area to promote the release of seeds from a disc rotatably attached to the housing assembly. The disc divides an interior of the housing assembly to include a vacuum chamber and a seed chamber. The disc including a plurality of openings formed adjacent a periphery of the disc. The planter apparatus may also include a singulator assembly having rotatably spools, a rotatable chute door, a disc having clusters of openings for simultaneous release, and a one-piece baffle.

Abstract: A seed metering system includes a first metering member having a first bearing surface and a second metering member having a plurality of seed engaging surfaces adapted to engage seeds and a second bearing surface positioned against the first bearing surface. The second metering member moves relative to the first metering member. At least one depression extends into the second bearing surface opposite the first bearing surface.

Abstract: A device (101) deposits a plurality of seeds in a sequential manner below a soil surface (101). The device is propelled along the soil surface.

Abstract: A seed meter is provided with a stationary housing having an inlet for receiving seed and an outlet for dispensing metered seed. A rotatable circular member is located adjacent the stationary housing and forms a seed puddle there between. The circular member is provided with seed receiving cells for transporting individual seeds from the seed puddle to the outlet. An internal seed knockout assembly having a rotatable wheel drives trapped seed from seed receiving cells into the outlet.

Abstract: A distributor of horticultural seeds for a sowing agricultural implement, comprising a casing (10) and a disc (20) rotatably mounted inside the casing (10), dividing the latter into a seed chamber (CS) and in a suction chamber (CA) maintained in fluid communication with a suction device and selectively and adjustably connectable with the atmosphere, said disc (20) having at least two rows of holes (21, 22), each comprising a selector (50, 60) having a leading edge extension (51, 61), which is selectively displaced, in order to interfere, upon rotation of the disc (20), with the path of a predetermined part of the seeds which are pneumatically carried in each hole of the respective row of holes (21, 22), so that each hole enters the discharge chamber (CD) carrying a desired number of seeds, the discharge chamber (CD) being opened to discharge channels (15, 16) arranged in such a way as to receive the seeds released from a respective row of holes (21, 22), when they enter the discharge chamber (CD) and to direc

Abstract: A planter apparatus includes a seed meter including a housing assembly with a cover releasably connected to a shell. The housing assembly includes at least one opening formed therein adjacent a seed discharge area to promote the release of seeds from a disc rotatably attached to the housing assembly. The disc divides an interior of the housing assembly to include a vacuum chamber and a seed chamber. The disc including a plurality of openings formed adjacent a periphery of the disc. The planter apparatus may also include a singulator assembly having rotatably spools, a rotatable chute door, a disc having clusters of openings for simultaneous release, and a one-piece baffle.

Abstract: An electronic chip component feeder is provided to prevent continued supply of electronic chip components for mounting which have surface discolorization, deteriorated electrode solderability, or cracks or chips produced by chip collisions. The electronic chip component feeder includes plural feeding units arranged in an array. Each feeding unit has a hopper for holding a plurality of components of a particular kind, and a guide path by which components are transferred from the hopper to a dispensing location. At the dispensing location, the components are picked up by a sucking chuck and then transferred to a substrate for mounting thereon. The plurality of feeding units are capable of being reciprocated in unison so that the dispensing location for the feeding units are successively moved to a fixed position. The electronic chip component feeder further includes a counting unit for counting the number of movements of the each feeding unit.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improvement for finger type seed meters. The improvement is a backing or wear plate of lubricious material with a seed release and an exit. The improved also has a cutout section and a plurality of variable inserts to get accurate seed spacing of a variety of size and shapes of seeds. Each insert of the meter includes a seed release area having varied shapes and depths of projections and depressions to accomplish accurate and timely release from the fingers of seeds of various sizes and shapes. Each insert also has an improved seed exit or void. The exit void being varied both in dimension and contour to substantially eliminate seed rejections and to ensure seed ejection into a seed tube and thence to the soil.

Abstract: This invention relates to the packaging or dispensing of hydrogel contact lenses in a dry state. By packaging hydrogel lenses dry, the risk of bacterial growth and package or product degradation commonly associated with hydrated lenses is reduced or eliminated, thereby significantly extending product shelf life. The application of a material or the placement of a divider between unhydrated lenses prevents the lenses from adhering to each other and allows manufacturers to package lenses in more space-efficient packaging. Such a packaging and dispensing system dramatically simplifies and reduces the cost of manufacturing, storing, packaging, inventorying, and distributing hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: A vending machine (10) including a cabinet (12) having therein a storage compartment (21) and product extraction means (20) including a base (29) operatively connected to the cabinet for pivoting about vertical axis (27), first link means (25a) horizontally pivoted to the base, second link means (25b) horizontally pivoted to the other end of the first link, actuator for respectively pivoting the base, first link and second link, and coupling means operatively connected (through guide head (33)) to the other end of the second link means (25b) for coupling with a selected product in the storage compartment (21) for delivery to a product station, the extraction means (20) being controlled by control means (15) after product selection by a customer.

Abstract: For automated retail product delivery to drivers, a retractable apparatus linked to a retail product dispenser brings the dispensed retain products within reach of the drivers. The apparatus delivers the retail products to vehicle occupants while they are seated in the vehicle. It may be activated electrically or pneumatically or mechanically by the weight of the retail product itself.

Abstract: An equidistant planting system for accurately placing seeds in a furrow thereby providing increased crop yields. The inventive device includes a rim member having a lower opening, a main disk rotatably positioned within the rim member, a plurality of feeder tubes attached to the main disk, a center disk secured to the main disk having a plurality of receiving channels that correspond with each of the feeder tubes, a plurality of first apertures extending through the center disk and the main disk adjacent each of the receiving channels, and a manifold having an end cutout rotatably positioned about the center disk. The manifold is fluidly connected to a seed tube and an air tube wherein the air tube provides pressurized air to the manifold which escapes through the first apertures creating a vertex within the distal portion of the receiving channels which retains the seeds in the proper position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for mounting solder balls or other conductor balls on terminal pads of semiconductor devices or other electronic devices collectively formed on a semiconductor wafer or other substrate by using a single adsorbing plate. The apparatus includes an adsorbing unit which comprises an adsorbing head; an adsorbing plate attached to the head and having adsorbing holes for adsorbing the conductor balls, the adsorbing holes being arranged corresponding in number and position to the terminal pads present in one of the divisions that includes a largest number of the devices; and a mask plate attached to one side of the adsorbing plate and having an opening conformed in shape and size to an area of the substrate occupied by a group of the devices included in a selected one of the divisions so that the conductor balls are only adsorbed by the adsorbing holes corresponding in position to the terminal pads of the devices of the group in the selected one division.

Abstract: A circular seed disc is provided with a series of circumferentially arranged seed attracting apertures. The disc has a seed receiving side which is in contact with the seeds. The seed receiving side of the disc is provided with a screen which covers the seed attracting. The screen is configured as a ring and maybe releasably secured in circular grooves adjacent to the apertures by a flexible and resilient spline, or the screen maybe fixedly attached on the surface of the disc.

Abstract: An equidistant planting system for accurately placing seeds in a furrow thereby providing increased crop yields. The inventive device includes a seed singulator device, a delivery tube extending from the singulator device, and a placement device connected to the delivery tube for dispersing the seed uniformly within the furrow. The placement device comprises a ring member, an opening within the lower portion of the ring member, a disk member rotatably positioned within the ring member, a mechanical drive for rotating the disk member, a cover attached to the ring member, a plurality of inner members attached to the disk member, and a corresponding plurality of guide members attached to the disk member adjacent the corresponding inner members.

Abstract: A leaflet dispensing apparatus having a main structural body on which is mounted a carousel including a plurality of magazine for storing leaflets and an intermediate chute for transferring the leaflets from the carousel to a dispensing wheel. The dispensing wheel is adapted to remove a leaflet from the intermediate chute and to transport the leaflet to a dispensing area where a dispensing blade pushes the leaflet onto or into a container being transported by a conveyor located adjacent to the leaflet dispensing apparatus. The magazines for storing leaflets are the vehicle for reloading the carousel. The magazines may be discarded after use or may be re-used.

Abstract: A pneumatic product vending and delivery system is provided which preferably uses an existing product vending machine as a storage and loading device for use in a pneumatic vending and delivery system along with an interface unit in place of the vending machine door. A product dispensing terminal is provided that is connected by the delivery tube of a pneumatic conveyor from the storage and loading device, which has a loading mechanism configured to load a product dispensed by the dispensing mechanism into the delivery tube. The pneumatic conveyor includes a back pressure source operable to apply reverse pressure to a product in the delivery tube to gently slow a product approaching the product dispensing terminal through the tube. A gate is selectively moveable into and out of the path of a product proximate the outlet end of the delivery tube to stop a product slowed by the back pressure source and to release the stopped product for delivery to a customer at the product dispensing terminal.

Abstract: The invented apparatus includes at least one feeder and a base unit for successively advancing one or more tapes containing electronic components so that such components can be extracted by a pick-up device for installation in circuit boards, for example. The feeder can include a body, a sprocket, a slider, and a one-way drive member. The body defines a guide through which a tape extends, and its sprocket is rotatably mounted in the body so that its teeth engage with and advance the tape if the sprocket is rotated. The drive member is mounted to the slider, and the slider is mounted to reciprocate in the body. The slider moves the drive member into contact with sprocket to rotate the sprocket by an amount sufficient to advance the tape by one interval to expose the next electronic component for extraction from the feeder. The apparatus' base unit can include at least one sensor, a controller, and at least one solenoid unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparati for screening compounds for agricultural activity has now been developed which employ e.g., intact plants grown in microtiter plates on very small amounts of plant growth media containing a test compound. In comparison to the standard greenhouse screen, the microscreen requires vastly less space, labor, and test compound. However, unlike in vitro screens, responses of intact plants are assayed. Using the microscreen, high-throughput screening of test compounds can be accomplished using whole plant responses as the assay.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for advancing and extracting a component from a tube or channel of a magazine by the employment of a vacuum to a port that engages an open proximal end of the tube or channel of the magazine where the vacuum is sufficient to advance and hold the component as the head is moved away from the proximal end in a direction parallel to the long axis of the tube or channel of the magazine.

Abstract: A planter apparatus includes a seed meter including a housing assembly with a cover releasably connected to a shell. The housing assembly includes at least one opening formed therein adjacent a seed discharge area to promote the release of seeds from a disc rotatably attached to the housing assembly. The disc divides an interior of the housing assembly to include a vacuum chamber and a seed chamber. The disc including a plurality of openings formed adjacent a periphery of the disc. The planter apparatus may also include a singulator assembly having rotatably spools, a rotatable chute door, a disc having clusters of openings for simultaneous release, and a one-piece baffle.

Abstract: In a pneumatic conveyor for coins comprising a plurality of conduits leading from a plurality of payment points, a common conduit into which said plurality of conduits feed, a separator receiving coins from said common conduit and separating said coins from air, suction means for creating a suction in said common conduit and said plurality of conduits to convey coins to said separator, and a storage receptacle for receiving coins from said separator; the improvement comprising a sealing means for opening and closing concealing means disposed in each of said plurality of conduits for opening each of said plurality of conduits only when a coin enters one of said plurality of conduits and for closing the associated said one of said plurality of conduits after said coin has passed said sealing means, thereby to preserve said vacuum both in said plurality of conduits downstream of said sealing means and in said common conduits.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus module for a vending machine is provided that enables stacked articles to be lifted off of the stack and translated from a loading station to a discharge station. An elevator apparatus is provided for progressively moving articles to a load station. A conveying apparatus with a linkage assembly for supporting a section nozzle can contact the uppermost article and lift it off the stacked array. The conveying apparatus can move the article to a discharge station for releasing the article to the user. A self-contained suction source is provided in the dispensing apparatus to provide low atmospheric pressure to the suction nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides for safe and simple replacement or removal of individual feeders from a placement machine without any loss in performance by using a signal means to emit a signal to the CPU of the placement machine when a feeder is removed. Upon receipt of this signal, the CPU controls the pick-up head in such a way so that it does not collide with the feeder being removed. If the pick-up head is located directly above the pick-up position of the feeder to be removed, it can be moved momentarily upwards or sideways thanks to its fast drive before a collision occurs. If the pick-up head is located just on the way to the pick-up position of the feeder, the procedure is momentarily aborted so that a collision can be avoided.

Abstract: A chip component feeding apparatus translates chip components in alignment along a passage and feeds the foremost chip component to a predetermined take-out position. The foremost chip component is separated from the remaining translated chip components. A stopper is displaceable between a predetermined stop position where the foremost chip component stops, and a predetermined take-out position spaced from the stop position. A first attracting section attracts the foremost chip component to the stopper to displace the stopper and the foremost chip component at the stopped position. A second attracting section attracts the foremost chip component to a transport belt.

Abstract: A multiple seed drop disc includes a disc member including a vacuum side and a seed side. The vacuum side includes a plurality of spaced-apart recesses formed therein. The seed side includes a plurality of clusters formed therein. Each cluster includes a plurality of openings which communicates with one of the recesses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying components wherein a plurality of components are placed on a first end of a track. The components are urged towards a second end of the track with a component stop slidingly mounted at the second end of the track. The urging of the components is discontinued and a vacuum is applied to the first component by the stop. The stop is moved away from the plurality of components to separate the first component from the remaining components.

Abstract: In a ball grid array (BGA) station (50) having a robotic arm (60) with a vacuum head (70) containing a predetermined quantity of vacuum apertures (90), a method and apparatus of loading an array of solder balls (14) for solder bumping a carrier (20). Solder balls (14) are supplied into a tub (500) having a head opening (510) for accommodating a vacuum head (70). After the vacuum head (70) is positioned by the robotic arm (60) towards the head opening (510) of the tub (500), suitable fluid pressure (570) is applied to the solder balls (14) within the tub (500) to force the solder balls (14) to float on the gas pressure towards the vacuum apertures (90). The vacuum apertures (90), which are appropriately sized and annularly shaped has at least a partial vacuum (34) applied through the apertures (90) to suck-up a desired quantity of solder balls for eventual placement on the BGA carrier (20).

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for selectively dispensing articles from an inner cavity of a bin. The apparatus includes a pick-up head having a plurality of spaced suction cups which is moveably supported by a positioning assembly. The positioning assembly locates the pick-up head at various positions relative to the inner cavity of the bin to retrieve randomly organized articles within the bin. The dispensing apparatus includes a vacuum control assembly which is coupled to a vacuum source for selectively applying a suction pressure to the suction cups of the pick-up head. The suction pressure attracts the articles stored in the bin towards the suction cups to retrieve an article from the bin to be dispensed. A sensing assembly is coupled to each of the suction cups to determine whether an article is attached to the suction cup. The vacuum control assembly is coupled to the sensing assembly to selectively apply and release suction pressure to the suction cups.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a conventional seed meter to achieve the lowest error rate of seed spacing and single seed placement per space. The apparatus having an endless belt with cells formed integrally and mounted on a track system with vertically spaced tracks for supporting the belt such that a plurality of longitudinally spaced cells are formed on an upper level for a visible showing of the calibration efficiency. A vacuum seed meter and/or a mechanical seed meter are mounted in side-by-side arrangement such that the outlet of each seed discharge chute of each meter is located directly above and in contact with the upper surface and the slots of the belt and an opening formed in the upper track below the belt and directly below each discharge chute. The apparatus particularly for the vacuum seed meter including further a plate secured to the upper track and extending into the seed meter discharge chute to reduce the chute horizontal length to that of a cell.

Abstract: An existing product vending machine, such as a refrigerated vending machine provided by a bottled soft drink manufacturer or distributer, is adapted to serve as a storage and loading device for use in a pneumatic vending and delivery system by installing an interface unit in place of the vending machine door. The interface unit may be configured to mount on hinges or other pre-existing panel supporting structure of the vending machine and to lock to pre-existing latching structure on the vending machine. Alternatively, the dispensing mechanism and product storage supply from one or more product vending machines may be installed in a vault and equipped with one or more of the interfaces. The interface is provided with a loading tube that connects to the upstream end of the tube of a pneumatic conveyor of the vending and delivery system.

Abstract: A system for dispensing multiple types of seed as a planting apparatus (planter or drill) travels throughout an agricultural field is disclosed herein. The planting apparatus is typically an implement having row units for applying seed to the field as the implement is pulled by a vehicle (tractor). The system includes multiple seed bins configured to store multiple types of seed (e.g., multiple crops or varieties). Multiple bins can be formed within a seed hopper by a removable dividing wall. A switch assembly selectively discharges seed from one seed bin in response to control signals generated in a manual or an automatic mode. The control signals are generated using an operator input device in manual mode, and using location signals and a prescription type map in automatic mode. Discharged seed is received by a distribution assembly for delivery to the row units.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted handling and loading of radioactive seeds into implant needles from a lead glass shielded glass tube and with seeds manipulated within an enclosed visible radiation shield. Radioactive seeds and spacers are located on a loading platform within a shield having at least two transparent side walls for viewing into the interior of the shield. A vacuum pickup probe is inserted into the shield to manipulate the radioactive seeds and spacers to lift and drop the radioactive seeds and spacers into the funnel leading to a glass tube, behind a lead glass window. The manipulation of the vacuum pickup probe is performed from outside of the shield and vacuum force exerted through the pickup probe and the glass tube on the radioactive seeds or spacers.

Abstract: When feeding parts (102) to a mounting machine (A) by using a parts feed cassette (B), prior to parts feed, air is preliminarily supplied to the parts feed cassette (B) to put the parts (102) in neat order, and the parts (102) are preliminarily sent up to a final position in a parts feed route (113). Accordingly, if the parts (102) cannot be securely sent up to the parts feed position (114) in the parts feed route (113) by supplying air (1b) only for a specific limited time for feeding parts (102), the parts (102) can be preliminarily sent forward in neat order, and by the supply of air (1b) for parts feed, the parts (102) can be fed quickly, securely, and stably.

Abstract: A seed metering mechanism including a seed singulator assembly for reducing the likelihood of or eliminating double or excess seeds being carried by a seed disc of the seed metering mechanism to a discharge area of the seed metering mechanism for deposit to the ground. The singulator assembly is disposed downstream of a seed chamber and upstream of the seed discharge area of a seed metering mechanism. The seed singulator of the present invention includes a seed engaging member arranged on opposite sides of the path of travel of a circular array of openings on a seed disc of the seed metering mechanism. The spacings between the seed engaging members being such that only a single seed carried in each opening is permitted to pass therebetween.

Abstract: Vacuum seed metering apparatus is operably arranged in combination with a seed storage hopper. The seed metering apparatus includes a rotatable disc having a circular row of apertures for movement along a predetermined path during rotation of the disc. A housing is arranged in seed receiving relation relative to the seed hopper, and includes an interior divided by the disc into a seed chamber to hold seeds and a vacuum chamber extending at least partially around the path of movement of the apertures. The vacuum chamber has a leading end, a trailing end, and a vacuum exhaust port in communication with a vacuum source therebetween. The trailing end of said chamber is arranged adjacent to a seed discharge area where seeds are released from the disc, and an opening is provided proximate to the seed discharge area to enhance the release of seeds from the disc.

Abstract: A seed agitating assembly for a seed metering mechanism including a housing with a seed reservoir area wherein a mass of seeds are held and a rotatable seed disc internally carried by the housing. The seed disc is provide with a circular array of holes or throughopenings for captively transferring seeds from the seed reservoir to a seed discharge area on the seed metering mechanism. The seed discharge area is typically arranged in spaced relation from the seed reservoir. A rotary drive shaft extends endwise through the housing for imparting rotational movements to the seed disc. According to the present invention, a seed agitator assembly is provided for stirring or agitating the seeds in the seed reservoir. The seed agitating assembly includes a generally circular or plate-like member that is operably coupled to the drive shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stocker for flat healds according to the present invention is a flat heald stocker for stocking a lot of flat healds in order to selectively discharge an arbitrary flat heald A out of the many flat healds A juxtaposed, in which the flat healds A kept in a horizontal state are stacked vertically in a housing, a heald refilling aperture is provided at a top portion of the housing, and a heald drawing opening for discharging the lowermost of the stacked flat healds horizontally is provided at a lower portion of the housing, whereby easy horizontal drawing of flat heald can be achieved.