An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

A coulter assembly for collecting soil samples from an agricultural field in one embodiment comprises an annular collection blade configured for penetrating soil to capture a sample, an annular cam ring configured for stationary mounting to a frame of an agricultural vehicle and comprising a cam track, a blade hub coupled to the blade for rotatably supporting the annular collection blade from the annular cam ring, and a movable sample collector mounted to the annular collection blade. The moveable sample collector is configured and operable for extracting a soil sample as the annular collection blade is rotated through the soil. The moveable sample collector in one embodiment comprises a piston mechanism including a cylinder and rod movably disposed therein which actuated by the annular cam ring to alternatingly open and close a collection end of the cylinder as the annular collection blade rotates through the soil.

An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

A blender for blending a plurality of ingredients. The blender has an upper cover, comprising a rotation mechanism, and the upper cover is fitted on a lower mixing compartment. The rotation mechanism comprises a rotor, and rotation of the upper cover rotates the rotor, and the rotor blends the multitude of ingredients within the lower mixing compartment for receiving a blended mixture.

The present invention relates to a multistage stirred reactor, comprising a multiplicity of mutually adjacent reaction chambers and stirring elements for mixing the contents of at least one of the reaction chambers, wherein, between adjacent reaction chambers, there is in each case provided at least one opening that can be closed by means of closure means, such that in the open state there is a fluidic connection between the adjacent reaction chambers and in the closed state the adjacent reaction chambers are separated from one another. At least one of the closure means (300, 310, 320) is connected to an actuation rod (500, 510, 520) that is guided out of the stirred reactor. The actuation rod (500, 510, 520) can be moved back and forth between at least one first position and a second position, by rotation and/or displacement, wherein in the first position closure means (300, 310, 320) that are connected to the actuation rod (500, 510, 520) effect an open state of the opening assigned to them and in the second position closure means (300, 310, 320) that are connected to the actuation rod (500, 510, 520) effect a closed state of the opening assigned to them.

A coulter assembly for collecting soil samples from an agricultural field in one embodiment comprises an annular collection blade configured for penetrating soil to capture a sample, an annular cam ring configured for stationary mounting to a frame of an agricultural vehicle and comprising a cam track, a blade hub coupled to the blade for rotatably supporting the annular collection blade from the annular cam ring, and a movable sample collector mounted to the annular collection blade. The moveable sample collector is configured and operable for extracting a soil sample as the annular collection blade is rotated through the soil. The moveable sample collector in one embodiment comprises a piston mechanism including a cylinder and rod movably disposed therein which actuated by the annular cam ring to alternatingly open and close a collection end of the cylinder as the annular collection blade rotates through the soil.

A food ingredient mixer includes a tank defining an internal mixing volume, the tank including an upper opening, and an agitator disposed in the internal mixing volume and movable for mixing ingredients and a cover assembly associated with the upper opening, the cover assembly including a first part through which ingredients may be added to the internal mixing volume and a second part movable between a first position that overlies the first part and a second part that exposes the first part.

A mixing device with rotatable container, which can simultaneously meet the sealing, material mixing and cleaning requirements of large-sized mixers, includes a fixed container having a top opening; a mixing container having a top opening and a bottom material outlet, rotatably connected to and positioned inside the fixed container; a driving cover configured to open or close the top opening of the fixed container; a mixing container cover integrally and coaxially arranged with the driving cover and to rotate relative to the driving cover, configured to open or close the top opening of the mixing container and to rotate synchronously with the mixing container after the mixing container is covered by the mixing container cover; and a discharge and sealing mechanism arranged coaxially with the driving cover to form an integral body, and configured to open or close the material outlet from inside.

A mixing device with rotatable container, which can simultaneously meet the sealing, material mixing and cleaning requirements of large-sized mixers, includes a fixed container having a top opening; a mixing container having a top opening and a bottom material outlet, rotatably connected to and positioned inside the fixed container; a driving cover configured to open or close the top opening of the fixed container; a mixing container cover integrally and coaxially arranged with the driving cover and to rotate relative to the driving cover, configured to open or close the top opening of the mixing container and to rotate synchronously with the mixing container after the mixing container is covered by the mixing container cover; and a discharge and sealing mechanism arranged coaxially with the driving cover to form an integral body, and configured to open or close the material outlet from inside.