Patents Assigned to Innotek, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6184790
    Abstract: A remote receiver unit is for use in an animal behavior modification system that applies an electrical shock to an animal. The remote receiver unit has an electrical shock device including two electrodes configured for contacting the animal, a source of alternating current voltager and an electrical transformer with a primary coil and a secondary coil. The primary coil is electrically connected to the source of alternating current voltage. The secondary coil is electrically connected to at least one of the two electrodes. The transformer has an output impedance of less than 1000 ohms. A receiver circuit is electrically connected to the shock device. The receiver circuit is configured for activating the shock device in response to a received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Innotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane A. Gerig
  • Patent number: 6116780
    Abstract: A disposable toilet receptacle includes a bag and a funnel made of a sheet-like liquid-impermeable material, such as plastic film. The plastic film of which the bag is made may be a vapor barrier film. The top edge of the bag has a closure. The tapering body of the funnel is connected to the interior of the bag along a line extending between the side edges of the bag that defines a boundary between an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The portion of the funnel having the wide opening or inlet is disposed in the upper chamber, and the portion of the funnel having the narrower opening or outlet is disposed in the lower chamber. The lower chamber may have in it a gellable hydrophilic material that absorbs liquid waste. The portion of the funnel disposed in the upper chamber is, when fully extended, longer than the upper chamber. The outlet end of the funnel may be a flutter valve that prevents backflow of waste. To use the bag, a user opens the closure and extends the funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: American Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Young, Joseph A. Bradley, III
  • Patent number: 6073589
    Abstract: A method of training an animal includes generating an electrical correction stimulus having a duration that extends between a first time and a second later time, and having a first magnitude at the first time and a second greater magnitude at the second time. The electrical correction stimulus includes a substantially continuous waveform. The electrical correction stimulus is applied to an animal failing to conform to desired behavior. The electrical correction stimulus is removed from the animal upon conformance with the desired behavior by the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Van Curen, Michael D. Westrick
  • Patent number: 6059733
    Abstract: A method of determining a physiological state of a ruminant animal monitors the core body temperature of the ruminant animal. A bolus including a temperature sensor and a transmitter is placed within a stomach of the ruminant animal. A plurality of temperatures are sensed within the stomach using the sensor, with each temperature representing a temperature at a respective discrete point in time over a time period. A plurality of air-borne signals are transmitted to a remote receiver using the transmitter, with each air-borne signal representing at least one of the sensed temperatures. The plurality of temperatures are mathematically analyzed at discrete points in time over the time period using the remote receiver. The physiological state of the ruminant animal is determined using the mathematically analyzed temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Brune, Paul A. McAfee
  • Patent number: 6048280
    Abstract: A projectile having photoluminescent properties is exposed to light within a gun when propelled from the gun to excite the photoluminescent surface and provide a visual display by the propelled projectile. The projectile is illuminated by a flash lamp, such as a xenon flash lamp, having a high level ultraviolet light component and relatively low or non-existent red, orange and infrared components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Sierra Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Palmer, William R. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5961501
    Abstract: A fluid containment bag is constructed of three sheets sealed along their perimeters but for a portion defining an opening. Two adjoining sheets define an envelope having a hollow interior into which bodily fluids may be received through the opening for receiving the bodily fluids from a catheter via a flutter valve. A hydrophilic material within the bag gels rapidly upon contact with the bodily fluids in the bag and facilitates closure of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: American Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence A. Cassidy, Daniel L. Young, Terry H. Cassidy, Ruth E. Young, Richard E. Warrick
  • Patent number: 5913284
    Abstract: An animal training system has a stimulation unit for administering an electrical stimulation to an animal, a receiver for receiving a control signal, and a controller for processing the control signal and activating the stimulation unit for a predetermined duration. The electrical stimulation administered to the animal has a first magnitude at a first time in the stimulation duration, and a second greater magnitude at a second time in the duration. The system further includes a transmitter for transmitting the stimulation control signal, with the duration of the stimulation duration being selectable at the transmitter. The electrical stimulation signal preferably comprises a number of electrical pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Van Curen, Michael D. Westrick
  • Patent number: 5799618
    Abstract: A combined animal confinement and bark inhibitor system includes a confinement circuit which receives a confinement transmitter signal and outputs a confinement control signal, a sensor which detects the vibration of an animal's vocal cords and outputs a sensor control signal in response to that vibration, a stimulation device which provides a stimulus to the animal, and a controller associated with the confinement circuit, sensor, and the stimulation device, to selectively enable the stimulation device in response to a confinement control signal, a sensor control signal, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Van Curen, Michael D. Westrick
  • Patent number: 5559498
    Abstract: A combination animal confinement and remote training system is disclosed. The system is selectable between a confinement mode that encourages an animal to remain within a predefined boundary area, a remote training mode that encourages the animal to engage in desirable activity or cease undesirable activity, and a combined remote training and confinement mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Innotek Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Westrick, Greg V. Curen
  • Patent number: 5531724
    Abstract: A containment and disposal system for human bodily fluids includes a bag and a holster that allows a user to quickly and easily remove and replace the bag. The bag includes an envelope having a hollow interior, an opening for receiving the bodily fluids from a catheter via a one-way valve, and hydrophilic material within the bag that rapidly gels bodily fluids in the bag upon contact. Prior to and during gellation, the one-way valve inhibits escape of the bodily fluids. The gellation sequesters the bodily fluids, and the gelled material further facilitates closure of the one-way valve. The hydrophilic material may include a polymer that is activated upon contact with the bodily fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: American Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruth E. Young, Daniel L. Young, Richard E. Warrick, Clarence A. Cassidy, Terry H. Cassidy
  • Patent number: 5354132
    Abstract: A containment and disposal bag for human bodily fluids is disclosed which includes a bag having a hollow interior and a top at least partially open to receive the bodily fluids; preferably a funnel structure within the bag to channel said bodily fluids into the interior and to restrict expulsion of bodily fluids from the interior prior to sequestration; a hydrophilic material within the bag which is rapidly gellable upon contact with the bodily fluids in the bag, the gellation serving to essentially completely sequester the bodily fluids and prevent it from thereafter being expelled from the bag; and a closure to close the top of the bag after introduction of the bodily fluids into the bag. The hydrophilic material is commonly a polymer which is activated upon contact with the water-based bodily fluids and which gels rapidly (normally within thirty seconds or less) to sequester the bodily fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: American Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruth E. Young, Daniel L. Young, Richard E. Warrick, Clarence A. Cassidy
  • Patent number: 5344670
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying a chemiluminescent fluid to an object. Two chemiluminescent fluid components are mixed within a reservoir. The mixed chemiluminescent fluid then flows through a porous applicator element mounted in a passageway in communication with the reservoir interior. The porous applicator element is in the form of a writing nib which may be utilized to manually apply the chemiluminescent fluid to an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Sierra Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Palmer, William R. Palmer
  • Patent number: D382055
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: American Innotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence A. Cassidy, Terry H. Cassidy