NZ603406B

NZ603406B - Moisture content analysis system

Info

Publication number: NZ603406B
Application number: NZ603406A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Randall James Clark
Original assignee: Dow Agrosciences Llc
Priority date: 2011-11-11
Filing date: 2012-11-02
Publication date: 2014-01-07

Abstract

Patent 603406 An apparatus and a method for collecting data to determine a moisture content of a sample of plant material such as silage are disclosed. The apparatus comprises: an analysis chamber (209) bounded by a plurality of walls, a scanner (113) and an analysis conveyer (223). The analysis chamber includes an entrance and an exit, a first wall having an opening therein and there is a window covering the opening in the first wall. The scanner is positioned to project energy through the window into the analysis chamber onto the sample of plant material and to receive reflected energy from the sample of plant material through the window. The analysis conveyer to move the sample of plant material through the analysis chamber, the sample of plant material being compressed against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved through the analysis chamber. The analysis chamber is shaped to compress the sample of pant material against the window. sis chamber includes an entrance and an exit, a first wall having an opening therein and there is a window covering the opening in the first wall. The scanner is positioned to project energy through the window into the analysis chamber onto the sample of plant material and to receive reflected energy from the sample of plant material through the window. The analysis conveyer to move the sample of plant material through the analysis chamber, the sample of plant material being compressed against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved through the analysis chamber. The analysis chamber is shaped to compress the sample of pant material against the window.

Description

Patents Form No. 5 — Complete Specification Moisture content analysis system We, Dow AgroSciences LLC, 9330 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, lndiana 46268 United States of America hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be med, to be particularly bed in and by the following statement Freehills Patent Attorneys / 2005129457 Page 1 1000351912_4.DOCX MOISTURE CONTENT ANALYSIS SYSTEM FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to methods and tus for analysis of the moisture content of a . In particular, the present sure relates to the is of the re content of silage using near-infrared spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Silage is prepared in accordance with the moisture of the plants. A range of plant re is ideal for silage preparation, and so plant material is sampled and treated according to its moisture content. Current methods of silage moisture content analysis e a sub sample of the silage to be weighed wet, and then weighed again once all of the moisture has been removed. Handling a number of silage samples in this way is difficult, expensive, and requires the use of driers, which may be away from the field. The current method creates a bottleneck for silage harvesting.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in New Zealand or any otherjurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the, art. in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of ting data to determine a moisture content of a sample of plant material is provided.

The method comprising the steps of providing an analysis chamber with a window and a scanner located outside of the analysis chamber; moving the sample of plant material through the analysis chamber, wherein the analysis chamber is shaped to compress the sample of plant material against the window; compressing the sample of plant material against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved through the analysis chamber; and analyzing the sample of plant material with the scanner through the window to produce data. In one example thereof, the scanner is a near-infrared 1000351912_4.DOCX scanner. In a variation f, the window is substantially optically transparent to near— infrared wavelengths. In another example thereof, the step of moving the sample of plant material through the analysis chamber includes the steps of contacting the sample of plant material with an analysis er; and actuating the analysis conveyer to translate the sample of plant material through the analysis chamber. In a variation thereof, the step of compressing the sample of plant material against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved h the analysis chamber includes the step of reducing a separation between the analysis conveyer and a wall of the analysis r, the wall including the window. In a further example thereof, the sample of plant material is maize silage. In a variation thereof, the step of compressing the sample of plant material against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved through the analysis chamber removes substantially all of the air pockets between the maize silage and the window. In still another e thereof, the method further comprises the step of determining a moisture content of the sample.

In r exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of collecting data to determine moisture content of a plurality of samples of plant al is ed. The method comprising the steps of receiving a first sample of plant material in a hopper; transporting the first sample of plant material from the hopper to an analysis chamber with a window and a scanner located outside of the analysis chamber; and analyzing the first sample of plant al with the scanner through the window to produce data while a second sample of plant material is being one of received in the hopper and transported from the hopper to the analysis chamber, wherein the analysis chamber is shaped to compress the first sample of plant material against the window. In one example thereof, the method further ses the steps of moving the first sample of plant material through the is chamber; and compressing the first sample of plant material t the window as the first sample of plant material is being moved through the analysis chamber. In another e thereof, the first sample of plant material is received in the hopper from a weigh chamber of a mobile silage r machine.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the t disclosure, an apparatus for collecting data to determine a moisture content of a sample of plant 1000351912_4.DOCX al is provided. The apparatus comprising an analysis chamber bounded by a plurality of walls, the analysis chamber including an entrance and an exit, a first wall having an g therein; a window covering the opening in the first wall; a scanner oned to project energy through the window into the analysis chamber onto the sample of plant al and to receive reflected energy from the sample of plant material through the window; and an analysis conveyer to move the sample of plant material through the analysis chamber, the sample of plant material being compressed against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved through the analysis chamber, wherein the analysis chamber is shaped to compress the sample of plant material against the window. In one example f, a separation between the first wall and the analysis conveyer is reduced to compress the sample of plant material against the window. In a variation thereof, a space between the first wall and the analysis er is wedge shaped. In another example, the scanner is a near-infrared scanner and the window is substantially optically transparent to near—infrared wavelengths. In yet another e thereof, the sample of plant material is maize silage. In still r e thereof, the ssion removes substantially all of the air pockets between the sample of plant material and the window. In yet still another example thereof, the apparatus further comprises a hopper to store the sample of plant material prior to the sample of plant material being moved to the analysis r. In a variation thereof, the sample of plant material is moved from the hopper to the analysis chamber on a conveyer. In a further example thereof, the apparatus further comprises a switch positioned to monitor the analysis chamber, wherein the switch is activated when the sample of plant material is in the analysis chamber and is deactivated when the sample of plant material is absent from the analysis chamber. In a ion thereof, the r is activated when the switch is activated and is vated when the switch is deactivated.

The above and other features of the present disclosure, which alone or in any combination may comprise patentable subject matter, will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings. 1000351912_4DOCX As used herein, except where the context es otherwise the term ‘comprise’ and variations of the term, such as ‘comprising’, ‘comprises’ and ‘comprised’, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The ed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 2005129453 is a perspective view of an exemplary silage analysis apparatus ing to an embodiment of the present disclosure. is a side sectional view of the silage analysis apparatus of taken along line 2-2. is a side perspective cross-sectional view of the silage analysis apparatus of taken along line 2-2. is a side perspective view of the silage analysis apparatus of with the right wall removed. is a rear perspective view of the silage analysis apparatus of FIG. is an illustrative view of an exemplary silage sampler including the silage analysis apparatus of ponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the sure in any .

ED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description.

Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. While the present disclosure is ily directed to and bed using the example of silage analysis, it should be understood that the features disclosed herein may have application to the moisture content analysis of other plant materials.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an exemplary silage analysis system 100 is shown. Silage analysis system 100 may be used to determine one or more characteristics of a plant material. An exemplary characteristic is re content and an exemplary plant material is maize silage.

The silage analysis system 100 includes a frame 102 including a left wall 101 and a right wall 103. The silage analysis system 100 further includes a hopper 107 2005129453 to hold silage, a er 105 to move the silage from the hopper 107 to an analysis chamber 209, an analysis conveyer 223 to move the silage within the analysis chamber 209 (see and a NIR r 113 to send energy to the silage in the analysis chamber 209 and receive reflected energy from the silage in the analysis chamber 209.

The analysis chamber 209 in the illustrated embodiment is bounded by left wall 101, right wall 103, analysis conveyer 223, and a rear wall 219 (see FlG. 2) . In the embodiment, the left wall 101 and the rear wall 219 are a single piece of material, with the rear wall 219 formed by a bend in the left wall 101.

The hopper 107 includes walls to constrain the silage as it enters the entrance port 109. The walls of the hopper 107 prevent the silage from moving laterally and falling outside of the hopper 107 or out of the end of the silage analysis system 100.

The floor of the hopper 107 is formed by one or both of conveyor guide 205 (see and the er 105, so that the silage in the hopper 107 rests against the or guide 205 and/or the conveyer 105. During operation, silage is removed from the hopper 107 by the conveyer 105. The hopper 107 may also include, in an embodiment, removable partitions (not shown) within the hopper 107. The partitions (not shown) may be inserted or removed from the hopper 107 to change the volume of silage that the hopper 107 may hold.

The conveyer 105 moves between a first conveyer drive 201 and a second conveyer drive 203. The conveyer 105, in an embodiment, rests on the conveyer guide 205, which supports the weight of the conveyer 105 and the silage while the conveyer 105 is in operation. A return guide 207 also supports the conveyer 201.

The first er drive 201 and the second er drive 203, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, each include gear wheels with ets to interact with projections or apertures on the er 105 in order to drive the movement of the conveyer 105.

In another embodiment, the first conveyer drive 201 and the second conveyer drive 203 may drive the movement of the conveyer 105 using friction. The conveyer 105, during operation and from the view shown in moves in a counterclockwise direction, moving silage from the hopper 107 to the end of the conveyer 105, towards the first conveyer drive 201. The first conveyer drive 201 and/or the second er drive 203 may be turned with a motor, or may be turned by a belt or other mechanical mechanism 2005129453 from an engine or motor positioned away from the silage analysis system 100. For example, the first conveyer drive 201 and/or the second conveyer drive 203 may extend outside of the silage analysis system 100 from the left wall 101, and may be rotated using an external engine or motor. Rotation of the first conveyer drive 201 and/or the second conveyer drive 203 drives the movement of the conveyer 105.

In the embodiment shown in silage moving on the conveyer 105 is constrained on three sides by the conveyer 105 and by the left wall 101 and right wall 103. The er 105, in an embodiment, es tions 270 (one referenced in on the outer surface of the conveyer to grip the silage and move the silage in the upward direction of the er 105. In an embodiment, the conveyer 105 is a solid belt between projections 270. in another embodiment, the conveyer 105 is made up of interlocking or onnected brackets so that the conveyer 105 resembles a chain and the spaces between projections 270 are generally open.

The conveyer 105 moves the silage out of the hopper 107, and along the conveyer 105 towards the top of the silage apparatus 100. When the silage reaches the end of the conveyer 105, near the first conveyer drive 201, the silage falls into the analysis chamber 209. In an ment, the silage is prevented from being projected out of the silage analysis system 100 by the rear wall 219. That is, the silage may be projected against the rear wall 219 by the conveyer 105, ing on the speed of the conveyer 105, but the silage strikes the rear wall 219 and falls into the is chamber 209.

The analysis chamber 209 is bounded on four sides by the right wall 103, the left wall 101, the rear wall 219, and the analysis conveyer 223. The is chamber 209 has an open top end and an open bottom end. The analysis conveyer 223 is angled with respect to the rear wall 219, so that the distance between the analysis conveyer 223 and the rear wall 219 at the beginning of the analysis conveyer 223 near the conveyer 105 is greater than the distance between the analysis conveyer 223 and the rear wall 219 at the end of the analysis conveyer 223 near the exit port 221.

Put another way, distance D1 in FIGS. 2 and 4 is greater than distance D2. In one ment, analysis conveyer 223 is angled towards rear wall 219 at about 2.5 degrees. As the analysis conveyer 223 moves silage through the analysis chamber 2005129453 209, the decreasing distance compresses the silage. The compression of the silage may increase the consistency of the silage density as it moves across the NIR window 217, allowing for a more consistent analysis by the NIR scanner 113. Also, the compression of the silage may remove pockets of air from the silage, also making NIR analysis more consistent.

The analysis conveyer 223 moves between a first analysis conveyer drive 211 and a second analysis conveyer drive 213. The first analysis conveyer drive 211 and the second is conveyer drive 213, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, include a gear wheel with sprockets to interact with projections or apertures on the analysis conveyer 223 and drives the movement of the analysis conveyer 223. In another embodiment, the first analysis conveyer drive 211 and the second analysis conveyer drive 213 may drive the movement of the analysis conveyer 223 using friction.

The analysis conveyer 223, during operation and from the view in moves in a rclockwise ion, which forces the silage in a downward direction through the analysis chamber 209 and toward the exit port 221. The analysis conveyer 223, in an embodiment, includes projections 272 (one referenced in on the outer surface of the belt to grip the silage and move the silage in the ion of movement of the analysis conveyer 223.

The first analysis er drive 211 and/or the second analysis conveyer drive 213 may be turned with a motor, or may be turned by a belt or other mechanical ism from an engine or motor positioned away from the silage analysis system 100. For example, the first analysis conveyer drive 211 and/or the second analysis conveyer drive 213 may extend outside of the silage analysis system 100 from the left wall 101, and may be rotated using an al engine or motor. Rotation of the first is conveyer drive 211 and/or the second analysis conveyer drive 213 drives the movement of the analysis conveyer 223.

The NIR scanner 113 es an energy source and one or more detectors. The energy source may be, for example and without limitation, one or more light emitting diodes or one or more light bulbs. In operation, the energy source is zed and transmits energy. The energy from the energy source strikes the target and is reflected by the target. The reflected energy radiates from the target to the 2005129453 detector or detectors, where ngth and intensity of the reflected energy are ed. In an embodiment, a prism is used to separate the wavelengths of reflected energy for analysis by the one or more detectors. The wavelength and intensity data are analyzed to yield, for example, a moisture t of the . Other physical properties of the target may also be measured, either in place of or in addition to the moisture content.

The NIR scanner 113 is positioned outside of the analysis chamber 209.

A NIR window 217 allows energy to be transmitted from the NIR scanner 113 and into the analysis r 209, and allows reflected energy to be transmitted from the analysis chamber 209 to the one or more detectors in the NIR scanner 113. The NIR window 217 is, in an embodiment, optically transparent to some or all of the energy from the NIR scanner 113 and the reflected energy from the silage in the is chamber 209. The NIR window 217 is shown in While a MR scanner 113 is shown in the embodiment and described herein, it should be appreciated that any spectroscopic device may be used to project energy into the analysis chamber 209 and receive reflected energy from material in the is chamber 209. Additionally, other properties besides re content may be measured. For example, and without tion, elemental analysis, chromatographic analysis, analysis of evolved gasses from a product in the analysis chamber 209, or other chemical analyses may be performed in place of, or along with, moisture content analysis.

Referring to a switch 215 is ed which controls the tion of NIR scanner 113 so that the NIR scanner 113 does not need to be activated continuously. Switch 215 has a first state wherein the NIR scanner is not activated and a second state wherein the NIR scanner is activated. The switch 215 may be mechanical or optical, and the switch 215 activates if silage moves across the switch 215. For example, if the switch 215 is mechanical, the switch normally in the first state, but when silage is moving in the analysis chamber 209 across the switch 215 the silage actuates the switch 215 and changing its state to the second state. If the switch 215 is optical, silage moving in front of the optical switch activates the switch 215. if silage is not present in the analysis chamber 209, or if an amount of silage is not present in the analysis chamber 209 to allow for moisture content analysis, then the switch 215 does 2005129453 not activate. The tion of the switch 215 activates the NIR scanner 113, so that the NIR scanner 113 is in operation while silage is present in the analysis chamber 209, and the NIR scanner 113 is not in operation while silage is not present in the is chamber 209. A mechanical switch 215 is shown in The mechanical switch 215 includes a tion 401 extending from the outer surface of the rear wall 219 to the inner e of the rear wall 219 through an aperture 403 positioned above the NIR window 217. The projection 401 extends into the is chamber 209. The projection is biased to a first position. As silage flows through the analysis chamber 209, the silage presses against the projection 401 moving it from the first position and activating the switch 215 which in turn activates the NIR scanner 113 so that the NIR scanner 113 begins scanning when the silage is in front of the NIR window 217. Once the silage passes, the projection 401 returns to the first position.

In operation, the silage analysis system 100, in an embodiment, is mounted to a silage sampler 300 (see . For example, and without limitation, the silage analysis system 100 may be mounted to a Hege brand silage sampler or a Haldrup brand silage sampler. Referring to the silage sampler 300 inlcudes a chopper unit 302 to chop the silage and a weigh chamber 304 into which the silage is . Once a given sample of silage has been placed in the weigh chamber, it is weighed and transferred to the hopper 107 of the silage analysis tus.

Silage enters the silage analysis system 100 via the entrance port 109. If more silage enters the entrance port 109 than can be carried by the conveyer 105, the excess silage is held in the hopper 107 until it can be moved. In another embodiment, the conveyer 105 does not move until an amount of silage is present in the hopper 107, and then the conveyer 105 is operated to remove the silage from the hopper 107. The conveyer 105 may be manually activated by a user, or the conveyer 105 may be automatically activated ing to the volume or weight of the silage in the hopper 107. For example, and without limitation, a weight sensor or an optical sensor (not shown) may be present in the hopper 107, so that when a ermined weight is d, or a predetermined volume is reached, the conveyer 105 is activated.

When the conveyer 105 is activated, and silage is present on the conveyer 105 or in the hopper 107, the silage is moved along the direction of the conveyer 105. 2005129453 The silage is held on the conveyer 105 by gravity and/or by the projections on the conveyer 105. The silage is constrained from ntial lateral movement while on the conveyer 105 by the left wall 101 and the right wall 103 of the silage is system 100. When the silage reaches the end of the conveyer 105, the silage falls into the analysis chamber 209. , In the analysis chamber 209, the silage is constrained by the left wall 101, the right wall 103, the rear wall 219, and the analysis conveyer 223 of the silage analysis system 100. The analysis conveyer 223 moves in a counterclockwise direction with respect to so that the silage in the analysis chamber 209 moves in a downward direction towards the exit port 221. While in the analysis r 209, the projections 272 of the analysis conveyer 223 grip the silage and move it in a downward direction. The analysis conveyer 223 is angled with respect to the rear wall 219, so that the distance from the analysis conveyer 223 to the rear wall 219 at point D1 is greater than the distance from the analysis conveyer 223 to the rear wall 219 at point D2. The angle of the analysis conveyer 223 with respect to the rear wall 219 compresses the silage as the silage moves along the is r 209 towards the exit port 221.

As the silage moves within the analysis chamber 209, the silage activates the switch 215. The switch activation activates the NIR scanner 113.

As the silage moves through the analysis r 209, it passes in front of the NIR window 217. The NIR scanner 113 projects energy of one or more wavelengths through the NIR window 217 and onto the . The reflected light from the silage passes h the MR window 217 and into the MR scanner 113. The NIR scanner 113 contains a detector or a plurality of detectors to detect the intensity and wavelength of the reflected energy.

The ation ed from the one or more detectors is provided to a system for determination of moisture content and/or further analysis using known techniques. In an embodiment, the data is transmitted via, for example and without tion, a network or a dedicated connection, such as a universal serial bus ("USB") cable from the NIR scanner 113 to a computer system. In another embodiment, the data may be transmitted from the MR scanner 113 to a computer system via a wired or wireless network. ln another embodiment, the NIR scanner 113 may store the data on 2005129453 a removable e unit, such as a USB drive, and the removable e unit may be removed from the NIR scanner 113 and inserted in or connected to a computer .

The data may be associated with the specific batch in the analysis chamber 209, and the data may be stored for use or analysis. For example, and without limitation, data from different s within the same batch may be averaged to yield an average moisture content for the entire batch of silage, or a range of moisture t readings for the batch of silage may be calculated.

The NIR scanner 113 may calculate moisture content at predetermined intervals. For example, the NIR scanner 113 may calculate the moisture content of silage present in the analysis chamber 209 at frequency intervals of, for example and without tion, milliseconds, seconds, minutes, or any range in between. In an embodiment, the interval is ined by the user. In another embodiment, the interval is set by the silage analysis system 100, and may be static or dynamic. For example, and without limitation, the NIR r 113 may be set to detect moisture content every second, but if the moisture values from one sample to the next change rapidly, then the NIR scanner 113 may be reset to detect moisture content every tenth of a second.

If no more silage is present in the is chamber 209, or the volume of silage present in the analysis r 209 is not sufficient to analyze, the switch 215 deactivates, deactivating the NIR scanner 113. A small amount of silage may remain in the analysis chamber 209, for example, after an analysis sequence is complete, but the small amount may be insufficient to read the moisture content, or the batch of silage may be complete.

After the silage passes by the NIR window 217, the analysis conveyer 223 continues to force the silage through the analysis chamber 209 toward the exit port 221.

The silage exits the silage analysis system 100 via the exit port 221.

After the silage is removed from the hopper 107 by the conveyer 105, silage from a second or subsequent plot may be discharged from the silage sampler 300 into the hopper 107. The hopper 107 may be loaded with silage from a subsequent plot before the silage from the first plot is fully analyzed by the NIR scanner 113 thereby permitting generally continuous operation of the silage sampler 300. 2005129453 While this invention has been described as ve to exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Further, this application is intended to cover such ures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains. 1000351912A4 DOCX

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A method of collecting data to determine a moisture content of a sample of plant material, the method comprising the steps of: providing an analysis chamber with a window and a scanner located outside of the analysis chamber; moving the sample of plant material h the analysis chamber, wherein the analysis chamber is shaped to compress the sample of plant material against the window; compressing the sample of plant material against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved h the is chamber; and analyzing the sample of plant material with the scanner through the window to produce data.

2. The method of claim 1, n the scanner is a near—infrared scanner.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the window is substantially lly transparent to near—infrared wavelengths.

4. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of moving the sample of plant material through the analysis chamber includes the steps of: ting the sample of plant al with an analysis conveyer; and actuating the analysis conveyer to translate the sample of plant material through the analysis chamber.

5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of compressing the sample of plant material against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved through the analysis chamber es the step of reducing a separation between the analysis er and a wall of the analysis chamber, the wall including the window. 1000351912‘4DOCX

6. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sample of plant material is maize silage.

7. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of compressing the sample of plant material against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved through the is chamber removes substantially all of the air pockets between the sample of plant material and the window.

8. The method of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of determining a moisture content of the sample.

9. A method of collecting data to determine moisture content of a plurality of samples of plant material, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first sample of plant material in a hopper; transporting the first sample of plant material from the hopper to an analysis chamber with a window and a r located e of the analysis chamber; and analyzing the first sample of plant material with the scanner through the window to produce data while a second sample of plant al is being one of received in the hopper and transported from the hopper to the analysis chamber, n the analysis chamber is shaped to compress the first sample of plant material against the window.

10. The method of claim 9, further sing the steps of: moving the first sample of plant material through the analysis r; and compressing the first sample of plant material against the window as the first sample of plant material is being moved through the analysis r.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the first sample of plant material is ed in the hopper from a weigh chamber of a mobile silage sampler machine.

12. An apparatus for collecting data to determine a moisture content of a sample of plant material, comprising: 1000351912_4.DOCX an analysis chamber bounded by a plurality of walls, the analysis r including an ce and an exit, a first wall having an opening therein; a window covering the opening in the first wall; a scanner positioned to project energy through the window into the analysis chamber onto the sample of plant material and to receive reflected energy from the sample of plant material through the window; and an analysis conveyer to move the sample of plant material through the analysis chamber, the sample of plant material being compressed against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved through the analysis chamber, wherein the analysis chamber is shaped to compress the sample of plant al against the window.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a separation between the first wall and the analysis conveyer is reduced to compress the sample of plant material against the window.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 or 13, wherein a space n the first wall and the analysis conveyer is wedge shaped.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the r is a near- infrared scanner and the window is substantially lly transparent to near-infrared wavelengths.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the sample of plant material is maize .

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the compression s substantially all of the air pockets between the sample of plant material and the window. 1912V4pocx

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 17, further comprising a hopper to store the sample of plant material prior to the sample of plant material being moved to the analysis r.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the sample of plant al is moved from the hopper to the analysis chamber on a er.

20. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 19, further comprising a switch positioned to monitor the analysis chamber, wherein the switch is activated when the sample of plant material is in the analysis chamber and is deactivated when the sample of plant material is absent from the analysis chamber.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the scanner is activated when the switch is activated and is deactivated when the switch is deactivated.

22. A method according to claim 1 or 9 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures.

23. An apparatus according to claim 12 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures.

24. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the steps of moving, compressing, and analyzing the sample of plant material with the scanner h the window all occur while the sample is continuously moving through the analysis chamber.

25. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 21 wherein the is r includes an inlet and an outlet and the analysis chamber narrows from the inlet to the outlet to compress the sample of plant material against the window.

26. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 21, or 25, wherein a side of the is conveyor forms one of the plurality of walls bounding the analysis chamber, and forms with an opposing wall n the inlet having a first separation distance and the outlet having a second separation distance, wherein the first separation distance is 1000351912ﬁ4DOCX r than the second separation distance such that the analysis chamber narrows from the inlet to the outlet.