A seed transportation system and method for using the same, the seed transportation system including a rotatable wheel with at least one seed supports for holding a seed, wherein the at least one seed support has one or more fixed support structures configured to restrict movement of the seed in a circumferential direction relative to the rotatable wheel and in a direction away from an axis of rotation of the rotatable wheel, and wherein the at least one seed support has an access opening in its radially outer side, the access opening permitting access to the seed for creating an opening in the seed.

A seed transportation system and method for using the same, the seed transportation system including a rotatable wheel with at least one seed supports for holding a seed, wherein the at least one seed support has one or more fixed support structures configured to restrict movement of the seed in a circumferential direction relative to the rotatable wheel and in a direction away from an axis of rotation of the rotatable wheel, and wherein the at least one seed support has an access opening in its radially outer side, the access opening permitting access to the seed for creating an opening in the seed.

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 machine and a method for producing biodegradable nonwoven textile including seeds including a seed distributing machine unit, positioned in a cross-lapping portion of the nonwoven textile machine. The seed distributing machine unit includes at least one receptacle for seeds having a dispensing opening for regulated outlet of seeds onto a veil of biodegradable fibres. A needle punching portion is situated after the cross-lapping, seen in the direction of the biodegradable nonwoven textile production line of the machine, for needle-punching of the veil of biodegradable fibres.

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 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.

An erosion control slurry is disclosed. The slurry includes water and a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises: mulch at a weight of x; bentonite clay at a weight of about 0.25x to about 0.495x; and cellulosic water dispersible polymer or starch at a weight of about 0.0025x to about 0.125x. Also disclosed are a substrate that can be mixed with liquid to provide an erosion control slurry, and methods of controlling or reducing erosion.

An erosion control slurry is disclosed. The slurry includes water and a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises: mulch at a weight of x; bentonite clay at a weight of about 0.25x to about 0.495x; and cellulosic water dispersible polymer or starch at a weight of about 0.0025x to about 0.125x. Also disclosed are a substrate that can be mixed with liquid to provide an erosion control slurry, and methods of controlling or reducing erosion.

A device and method for inserting seeds in a capsule includes a seed bin for storing a plurality of plant seeds and a materials bin for storing a growing medium. A first tray is configured to hold a plurality of capsule bodies, and a second tray is configured to hold a plurality of capsule cap portions in which each capsule cap portion is configured to couple to a corresponding capsule body in response to a force being applied between a capsule cap portion and a corresponding capsule body. A motor, coupled to the first tray and the second tray, is configured to enable the first tray and the second tray to move to a plurality of positions within the device. At least one vacuum needle is configured to generate a vacuum suction at a tip of the needle sufficient to extract a plant seed from the seed bin, and a robot arm, coupled to the at least one vacuum needle, is configured to move the at least one vacuum needle to a plurality of positions within the device. The device also includes circuitry configured to control the motor to move the first tray to a first position to receive and hold the plurality of capsule bodies and control the motor to move the second tray to a second position to receive and hold the plurality of capsule cap portions. The circuitry is also configured to control the motor to move the first tray adjacent to the materials bin that enables each of the plurality of capsule bodies to receive and store growing medium extracted from the materials bin, control the robot arm to move the at least one vacuum needle adjacent to the seed bin to pick up a seed from the seed bin, and control the robot arm to move the at least one vacuum needle adjacent to the first tray. When the vacuum suction from the at least one vacuum needle is removed, the seed picked up by the at least one vacuum needle is released into a capsule body in the first tray.

A device and method for inserting seeds in a capsule includes a seed bin for storing a plurality of plant seeds and a materials bin for storing a growing medium. A first tray is configured to hold a plurality of capsule bodies, and a second tray is configured to hold a plurality of capsule cap portions in which each capsule cap portion is configured to couple to a corresponding capsule body in response to a force being applied between a capsule cap portion and a corresponding capsule body. A motor, coupled to the first tray and the second tray, is configured to enable the first tray and the second tray to move to a plurality of positions within the device. At least one vacuum needle is configured to generate a vacuum suction at a tip of the needle sufficient to extract a plant seed from the seed bin, and a robot arm, coupled to the at least one vacuum needle, is configured to move the at least one vacuum needle to a plurality of positions within the device. The device also includes circuitry configured to control the motor to move the first tray to a first position to receive and hold the plurality of capsule bodies and control the motor to move the second tray to a second position to receive and hold the plurality of capsule cap portions. The circuitry is also configured to control the motor to move the first tray adjacent to the materials bin that enables each of the plurality of capsule bodies to receive and store growing medium extracted from the materials bin, control the robot arm to move the at least one vacuum needle adjacent to the seed bin to pick up a seed from the seed bin, and control the robot arm to move the at least one vacuum needle adjacent to the first tray. When the vacuum suction from the at least one vacuum needle is removed, the seed picked up by the at least one vacuum needle is released into a capsule body in the first tray.