Patents Represented by Attorney David G. McConnell
  • Patent number: 4722839
    Abstract: Novel diolefin insect pheromone mimics are used to disrupt the sexual communication between insects when applied to an agricultural area in behaviorally effective amounts as follows: (Z)-1,12-heptadecadiene used for Heliothis zea Boddie; (Z)-15-methyl-1,9-heptadecadiene used for Trogoderma variable; (E)-15-methyl-1,9-heptadecadiene used for Trogoderma glabrum; and (Z,Z)-1,12,14-heptadecatriene used for Amyelois transitella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: David A. Carlson, John R. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 4722739
    Abstract: Dyeable smooth-dry crosslinked cellulose fabrics characterized by an amino acid derived of an N-methylol crosslinking agent on a cellulose substrate which can be dyed with basic or direct dyes are disclosed. Exemplary amino acids can be selected from the group such as glycine, alanine, serine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Eugene J. Blanchard, Elwood J. Gonzales
  • Patent number: 4723038
    Abstract: Processes for preparing compounds which exhibit seed germinating activity are disclosed. An ester of acetoacetic acid is condensed with a ketone to produce a substituted cyclohexenone which is reacted with a thiol to get a dithioketal which is then desulfurized to produce an ester of a substituted cyclohex-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid which exhibits seed germinating activity. The same compound can be produced by a different process which reacts the substituted cyclohexenone with a reducing agent. An exemplary reducing agent would be an organosilane and a Lewis acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Oliver D. Dailey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4721727
    Abstract: Tetrahydrofuranoid acetogenins characteristic of the Annonaceae plant family have been found to have potent pesticidal and feeding deterrent activity against a diverse variety of pests such as mosquito larvae, spider mites, aphids, the Mexican bean beetle, striped cumcumber beetle, blowfly larvae, and nematodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Mikolajczak, Jerry L. McLaughlin, James K. Rupprecht
  • Patent number: 4720574
    Abstract: The antimicrobial compound, bis(carbomethoxymethyl) adipate is disclosed. It was prepared by condensing the methyl ester of glycolic acid and the acid chloride of adipic acid. Tests for antimicrobial activity exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against molds, yeasts, and gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: August V. Bailey, Gordon J. Boudreaux, Gene Sumrell
  • Patent number: 4718935
    Abstract: This invention relates to alginate gel pellets containing living fungus capable of producing conidia when exposed to sufficient light and moisture. Fungi are selected and grown for sufficient time to produce inoculum. The fungus cultures are harvested and homogenized for approximately 30 seconds and diluted to a ratio of about 1:3 (v/v) with 1.33% (w/v) sodium alginate in distilled water producing a final concentration of 1.0% sodium alginate and pH of 6.6 to 7.3. Pelletization is then accomplished by dropwise addition into 0.25M CaCl.sub.2 in water. The resultant alginate gel pellets of approximately 3 to 5 mm in diameter can then be dried and used to inoculate agriculture fields to kill selected weeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Harrell L. Walker, William J. Connick, Jr., Paul C. Quimby, Jr., Harrell L. Walker, William J. Connick, Jr., Paul C. Quimby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4715881
    Abstract: A strain of Colletotrichum coccodes has been discovered which is selectively pathogenic toward eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum). Formulations comprising propagules of the fungal pathogen are useful for biological control of the eastern black nightshade weed, particularly in agricultural fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Robert N. Andersen, Harrell L. Walker
  • Patent number: 4711640
    Abstract: Processes for producing multicolor crossdyed cellulosic fabrics which are fully or partly crosslinked are disclosed. These processes include: (1) crosslinking preselected areas of fabric with a grafted cationic group and leaving other areas untreated; immersing the fabric in an acidic anionic dyebath to dye the cationic areas and then immersing in a different colored, alkaline, unreactive dyestuff dyebath to dye the untreated areas and produce a bicolored fabric, (2) crosslinking fabric areas with a grafter cationic group and then the remaining areas with an anionic group; immersing in an acidic, anionic dyebath to dye the cationic areas and the immersing in a different colored cationic dyebath to dye the anionic areas and produce bicolored fabric, and (3) preselecting and treating areas of fabric to be cationic, anionic and untreated; immersion dyeing as above the cationic, untreated and then the anionic areas of fabric to produce a multicolored fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Robert J. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4711656
    Abstract: Legumes inoculated with tryptophan catabolic variants (tan variants) of wild-type bradyrhizobia are characterized by an enhanced capacity to fix atmospheric nitrogen as compared to parent strains. Responses of the symbiotic system to the variants include an auxinic stimulation of root growth, an enhancement of nodulation, and an increase in the nitrogen-fixation activities of the nodulated root systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Tsuneo Kaneshiro
  • Patent number: 4707444
    Abstract: A method for predicting the future acceptability of coarsely ground beef after regrinding and aerobic storage under specified conditions of time and temperature by measurement of the concentration of lactic acid in the sample is described. The method includes the steps of setting up a data base which relates the values of the initial concentration of lactic acid in samples of coarsely ground beef to odor acceptability of the samples after regrinding and aerobic storage for specified conditions of time and temperature, and measuring the initial lactic acid in the test sample and predicting future acceptability with reference to the data base. Based on the prediction value, a decision is made whether the beef is acceptable for the intended purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: A. Douglas King, Jr., Patricia S. Nassos-Stalder
  • Patent number: 4702870
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing three-dimensional structural members having one flat side from wood fibers utilizing flow deposition of the fibers onto a support. The support includes resilient deformable mold inserts. The mold inserts are formed of silicone rubber and may be blocks of the material, or may be a membrane which can be inflated to form the mold inserts. Pressing is done with a force normal to the support, and the mold inserts create response forces at varying directions to thus shape and hold the three-dimensional finished part. Heat drying also may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Vance C. Setterholm, John F. Hunt
  • Patent number: 4699354
    Abstract: A device is described to retrofit an alfalfa valve, without modification of the valve, to convert it from manual to pneumatic control and provide means for closure of the valve if operating pressure to the system is interrupted. The device comprises a first vertical shaft with a short upper threaded portion to secure the shaft to the cover of the alfalfa valve and a lower unthreaded portion; a second vertical shaft above the first shaft and coupled thereto; a chamber including pneumatic means for raising and lowering the shafts, wherein the shafts are in the raised position when the chamber is under pneumatic pressure; a horizontal plate connected to the bottom of the chamber and having a central hole to permit the second shaft to pass therethrough; leg means to stand the plate on top of a flange upon which the cover of the alfalfa valve sits, and means to clamp the plate to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Clayton H. Gibson, David A. Young
  • Patent number: 4690309
    Abstract: A self-powered spraying device for dispensing a metered amount or a continuous amount of chemical. A valve is connected through conduits to a cavity in front of a piston, to a cavity in the rear of the piston, to a fluid pressure source and to a nozzle. In the open position of the valve the rear cavity is connected to the fluid pressure source, and the front cavity to the nozzle. In the closed position of the valve the front and rear cavities are connected so that a spring within the front cavity drives the piston to the rear, thereby transferring chemical from the rear cavity to the front cavity. A second valve is also provided which in an opened position permits the metered dispensing of chemical when the first valve is operated and when in a closed position permits the continuous release of chemical when the first valve is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Michael A. Wehr, Robert L. Sajdak
  • Patent number: 4686140
    Abstract: Wood veneer panels bonded with cupriethylenediamine hydroxide and iron sodium tartrate, and methods of preparing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Agriculture
    Inventor: Linda F. Lorenz
  • Patent number: 4685481
    Abstract: A washing apparatus specifically designed for isolating plant roots from core soil samples is also suited for cleaning a variety of other organic and inorganic objects, particularly when surrounded by large volumes of soil. The essential features of the apparatus include a washing tank for holding a cleansing solvent, a support cradle for carrying cannisters of the samples to be cleaned, and a drive assembly for mobilizing the support cradle through the solvent in the washing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Steven J. Carlson, William W. Donald, James J. Lepine
  • Patent number: 4679803
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mobile land vehicles having a boom assembly, and more particularly to vehicles used for felling and handling trees on steep mountainous terrain. The vehicle of this invention includes apparatus for providing multi-directional relative movement between a conventional tread assembly of the caterpillar type and a swing-house assembly which includes a boom subassembly supporting tree-felling and handling equipment, so that the swing-house assembly is maintained in a substantially level relationship with the horizontal, regardless of the inclination of the ground on which the vehicle rides, and so that the center of gravity of the vehicle is optimized by weight transfer corresponding to the type of ground inclination encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Cleveland J. Biller, David D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4680106
    Abstract: A method for separating components of a mixture containing particles which can be electrically charged from particles which can be only negligibly charged is disclosed. The mixture is fed onto an electric undulating traveling wave contact panel which is energized to a charging potential using A. C. voltage. The voltage is then increased to a separation voltage to effect levitation and movement of the charged particles away from the uncharged particles. Separation is accomplished by cycling the voltage between the separation and charging voltages until the charged particles are moved off the panel and the uncharged particles remain on the surface of the panel. The separated particles can then be collected separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Louis C. Weiss, Devron P. Thibodeaux, Mary Ann Godshall
  • Patent number: 4678746
    Abstract: A method for preparing hybrid cell lines (hybridomas) which secrete monoclonal antibody which is group-specific to epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus antigen and which does not react to antigenically-related bluetongue virus antigen is disclosed. The antibody identifies EHDV in infected cell cultures with immunofluorescence and provides a means for ready diagnosis of EHDV in animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Michael M. Jochim, Suzanne C. Jones
  • Patent number: 4678473
    Abstract: Cellulosic fibers are converted to cellulosate by immersion in an alkali metal hydroxide and then reacted with an aqueous solution of thioarylsulfonium salts to produce modified cellulosic fibers which are substantive to acid, direct, disperse, reactive and sulfur dyes. Cellulosic/synthetic and cellulosic/wool blends can also be treated to produce a fabric blend comprising modified cellulosic components that are substantive to diverse dye classes and synthetic and wool components which are substantive to a single dye class. When using a disperse dyebath of one color the entire fabric blend is dyed one color. When adding an acid, reactive or sulfur dye of a second color to the dyebath, the synthetic or wool component is dyed one color and the cellulosic component is dyed a different color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Tyrone L. Vigo, Eugene J. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 4677806
    Abstract: A joint for use in building construction which is dependent upon beams made of wood, metal or related materials. The beams may be box beams or I-beams. In each case, the beams are made up of webs and flanges. The flanges may be of wood and of various different shapes. The joints are formed by cutting away the flanges and webs as necessary so that the beams will fit together in a continuous manner, that is, with the flanges and webs continuing without interruption across the joint. The joints can then be fixed together using conventional means such as nails, screws, adhesives and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Roger L. Tuomi