Patent Application
20110271888
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a seed tape and more particularly to a seed tape wherein the spacing of the seeds on the tape is determined upon the soil type of the field in which the seed tape will be planted. More particularly, the invention relates to a seed tape wherein the user may plant, apply insecticide and fertilizer all in one pass. The type of seed is variable along the length of the tape dependent upon the soil type in which the seeds will be planted. Further, the invention relates to a seed tape wherein fertilizer is positioned between the seeds with the type and amount of fertilizer being dependent upon the particular location where the seed tape will be planted in the field having different soil types. Additionally, the invention relates to a seed tape wherein insecticide is positioned on the seed tape closely adjacent to the seed.
Applicant believes that seed tapes will be the next revolution in agriculture. As seen in
2. Description of the Related Art
Seed tapes have long been used to facilitate the planting of the seeds in a field or the like. Typical seed tapes and machines for placing the same into the ground are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,092,936; 4,866,879; 5,165,351; 6,595,149; 6,606,542; 6,701,664; 7,188,449; 7,356,964; and 7,614,181. However, to the best of Applicant's understanding of the prior art seed tapes, each of the prior art seed tapes only have one type of seed placed thereon or therein. In other words, the individual prior art seed tape will only contain a specific hybrid variety such as Hybrid “A” even though Hybrid “A” may not be the desirable hybrid for the entire field since many fields have different soil types. For example, the field to be planted may have areas of loam, sandy loam, river bottom, hills, valleys, ridges and areas of different soil Ph. Thus, although Hybrid “A” may be satisfactory for some areas of the field, other hybrids such as Hybrid “B” or “C” may be the best choice for other areas of the field. Additionally, if the seed tape contains fertilizer, certain types of soils and areas in the field would be more productive with a different type and amount of fertilizer. In summary, it can be appreciated that a seed tape which only has Hybrid “A” seeds therein and one type of fertilizer therein will not produce the maximum yield. Further, if the seeds are equally spaced from one another on the seed tape, that spacing, i.e., population, may not be the proper spacing for all areas of the field. Further, some types, and the amounts thereof, are not the best insecticide for different types of soil.
The seed tape of the invention may be placed in the ground by a GPS planter system such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,846, after a field has been mapped or surveyed utilizing one or more high-definition soil surveys, yield maps, grid-mapped for a soil analysis, etc.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A seed tape is provided which is comprised of an elongated strip of pliable paper material having a length sufficient so as to be planted in a field having different soil types. Normally, several rows will be planted at the same time with a plurality of the seed tapes being planted in the ground. The strip has spaced-apart seeds positioned thereon with the spacing of the seeds on the strip being variable along the length thereof and being dependent upon the soil type in which that portion of the strip will be planted in predetermined locations in the field. In the preferred embodiment, the type of seeds such as different hybrids will be utilized on the tape for different portions of the field dependent upon the soil types being planted. In the preferred embodiment, fertilizer is positioned on the strip between the seeds with the amount of fertilizer and the type of fertilizer being dependent upon the soil type in which that portion of the strip will be planted in predetermined locations in the field. However, the fertilizer, which may take many forms, may be placed adjacent the seeds rather than between the seeds. Further, the tape itself could be comprised of a fertilizer material or the fertilizer could be impregnated in the tape. In the preferred embodiment, insecticide is positioned on the tape closely adjacent the seeds or between the seeds.
The seed tape may also be designed to be adaptable to different types of soil grades with the spacing of the seeds, type of seeds, fertilizer, etc. being chosen to achieve optimum yield results on sloped areas of the field.
It is therefore the principal object of the invention is to provide a seed tape having seeds positioned thereon with the type of seeds and the spacing thereof being dependent upon the soil type in which the tape will be planted.
A further object of the invention is to provide a seed tape which will correspond to different soil types within the field so as to achieve the maximum yield potential.
A further object of the invention is to provide a seed tape wherein fertilizer is positioned on the tape between the seeds thereof or adjacent the seeds with the type of fertilizer and amount of fertilizer on the tape being chosen dependent upon the soil type in which the tape will be planted.
A further object of the invention is to provide a seed tape which has insecticide positioned thereon.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a seed tape which will be best suited for different soil types and different soil grades.
A further object of the invention is to provide a seed tape which will improve crop yields.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
In an effort to achieve the greatest yield potential, Applicant has provided a seed tape which is illustrated in perspective form in
Assuming that the field of
Upon reaching point B, the planting equipment will be turned around and will proceed from point B to point A with the seed tapes 10 being dependent upon the soil areas between points B and A.
Normally, the field will have been mapped so as to precisely locate the different soil types and the planting equipment will be GPS controlled so that the proper seed tape planting will occur.
Thus, it can be seen that a novel seed tape has been provided which may have different types of hybrid seeds positioned thereon with spacings therebetween, as well as fertilizer and insecticide being positioned on the tape. The types of seeds, the spacing therebetween, the types and amounts of fertilizer and types and amounts of insecticide on the tape member being chosen for the particular type of soil that the seed tape will be planted.
Thus, it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
