US 11,890,750 B2
Systems and methods for maize embryo plating and replating
Ross Megargel, Johnston, IA (US); Christopher Reppe, Waukee, IA (US); Jacob Patrick Suther, Waukee, IA (US); and Jeffrey Dale Wille, Ankeny, IA (US)
Assigned to PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Appl. No. 16/092,619
Filed by PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., Johnston, IA (US); and E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY, Wilmington, DE (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 17, 2017, PCT No. PCT/US2017/027924
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 10, 2018,
PCT Pub. No. WO2017/192257, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 9, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/332,646, filed on May 6, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2019/0118392 A1, Apr. 25, 2019
Int. Cl. B25J 15/06 (2006.01); A01H 4/00 (2006.01); H04N 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 15/0616 (2013.01) [A01H 4/00 (2013.01); A01H 4/001 (2013.01); H04N 7/181 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An object orientation apparatus comprising:
first and second nozzle assemblies, wherein each of the first and second nozzle assemblies comprises a respective vacuum nozzle and a respective actuation subassembly, each of the vacuum nozzles having a respective longitudinal axis and distal ends, wherein each vacuum nozzle is configured to apply suction to retain an object against the distal end of the vacuum nozzle, and wherein within each nozzle assembly, the vacuum nozzle is rotatable by the actuation subassembly,
wherein the vacuum nozzles of the first and second nozzle assemblies are selectively rotatable to an object-transfer position in which the longitudinal axis of the first vacuum nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second vacuum nozzle and the distal end of the first vacuum nozzle is positioned proximate the distal end of the second vacuum nozzle.