The invention provides a process for the preparation of a seed support that comprises a biodegradable polymer film having a plurality of seeds at least partially embedded therein, the process comprising the steps of (a) providing a hydrophobic release liner (18); (b) applying a coating of an aqueous dispersion or solution comprising a biodegradable polymer on the hydrophobic release liner (18), wherein the dispersion or solution has a viscosity of from 2000 to 16000 mPa.Math.s and a water content of from 58% to 90% by weight of the coating; (c) depositing a plurality of seeds onto the coating so that the seeds become at least partially embedded in the coating; (d) drying the coating to give a final water content of 1.5% to 15% by weight and thereby form the biodegradable polymer film; and (e) detaching the hydrophobic release liner from the biodegradable polymer film to give the seed support.

A garden seed planter that displays a color for identifying the type of garden product that will be produced by a plant from a seed contained in a capsule of the garden seed planter. In a preferred lollipop form embodiment at least a portion of the garden seed planter capsule has a colored coating that is substantially the same color as the garden product produced by the plant to be grown from the seed, and there is a planter stake attached to the seed capsule having a portion that also displays substantially the same color as the garden product.

A powdered lubricant composition that minimizes fugitive dust and a method of treating seeds with dry lubricant that minimizes fugitive dust. Addition of oil powder to dry lubricants is found to minimize fugitive dust created during the application of the dry lubricant. Mica coated titanium dioxide is an ideal dry lubricant for combining with oil powder.

A high throughput system for sorting a plurality of different small object types into a plurality of cells of a plurality of small object cassettes is provided. The system comprises: at least one small object cassette having a plurality of small object cells; an automated conveyor system for transporting the cassette(s) from a loading location to a unloading location on the conveyor system; at least one cassette filling station disposed over the conveyor system such that the conveyor system extends under a small object distribution subsystem of each respective cassette filling station; and a computer based central control system structured and operable to control various operations of the conveyor system and each cassette filling station.

An implement revolving around agriculture, prepared for quickly planting and germinating seeds. No device has seen all these classifications incorporated into one apparatus successfully. Each apparatus contains one or more seeds. The depth of each seed is positioned on the apparatus so that the depth of planting into the ground is correct. Each apparatus is impregnated with fertilizer directly into the substrate. The Fertilizer then acts as a slow time release application, during plant growth. Each Seed is affixed with an organic adhesive to protect the end user and fully adhere the seed to the apparatus. The novel apparatus also has a final quality of digging the appropriate size hole for the seed to be planted in.

EFFECT: This novel apparatus will increase consumer productivity and success in gardening.

Seed pillows are disclosed herein. An exemplary seed pillow may include a first water-soluble film, a seed cluster disposed on the first water-soluble film, and a second film that is positioned over the first water-soluble film and the seed cluster. The second film may have a first portion that is fused to a second portion of the first water-soluble film from ultrasonic vibrations. Further, the first water-soluble film and the second film may be shrink-wrapped around the seed cluster through heat application to the first water-soluble film and the second film for a first period of time.

A seed-containing crayon. The crayon includes an elongated member formed of a marking composition to leave a colored mark on a surface when the elongated member contacts the surface. The marking composition is formed of a wax, a pigment, and a plant nutrient that is activated by application of water to the elongated member. Plant seeds are embedded in the marking composition of the elongated member. The crayon can include a paper band that at least partially surrounds the elongated member along at least part of the length of the elongated member in which the plant seeds are embedded.

Food packaging assemblies of this invention comprise composite materials for food contact applications. Such composite materials include an absorbent layer and a non-absorbent layer, the absorbent layer having a textured surface for absorbing and trapping liquids, for example, oil, grease, or water, and the non-absorbent layer having an oleophobic surface that acts as an oil and grease specific liquid barrier. The material further includes one or more lamination layers. The lamination layer acts as a general liquid barrier between the absorbent layer and non-absorbent layer. This additional liquid barrier enhances the liquid repelling effect of the non-absorbent layer to more effectively trap liquids in the absorbent layer, thereby preventing liquids from seeping through the material onto an external surface.

Composite materials of this invention include an absorbent layer and a non-absorbent layer, the absorbent layer having a textured surface for absorbing and trapping liquids, for example, oil, grease, or water, and the non-absorbent layer having an oleophobic surface that acts as an oil and grease specific liquid barrier. In one example, the surface texture includes a system of ridges and valleys that enhance the composite materials' ability to absorb and hold liquids. The material further includes one or more lamination layers. The lamination layer acts as a general liquid barrier between the absorbent layer and non-absorbent layer. This additional liquid barrier enhances the liquid repelling effect of the non-absorbent layer to more effectively trap liquids in the absorbent layer, thereby preventing liquids from seeping through the material onto an external surface.

A composite material for food contact applications includes an absorbent layer and a non-absorbent layer, the absorbent layer having a textured surface for absorbing and trapping liquids, for example, oil, grease, or water, and the non-absorbent layer having an oleophobic surface that acts as an oil and grease specific liquid barrier. The material further includes one or more lamination layers. The lamination layer acts as a general liquid barrier between the absorbent layer and non-absorbent layer. This additional liquid barrier enhances the liquid repelling effect of the non-absorbent layer to more effectively trap liquids in the absorbent layer, thereby preventing liquids from seeping through the material onto an external surface.