Patents Examined by Joshua D Huson
  • Patent number: 11778954
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a planter apparatus and system. In one aspect, a planter system and apparatus can include one or more planting compartments, a water collection reservoir in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more planting compartments, and a water drainage system configured to drain water from one planting compartment into another planting compartment, drain water from one planting compartment into the water collection reservoir, or drain water from inside the water collection reservoir to outside the water collection reservoir, or a combination thereof. The planter apparatus may be further configured to include a water flow control component configured to: open for the flow of water through the water drainage system, and close, thus stopping the flow of water through the water drainage system based on the engagement and disengagement of a water drainage stopper mechanism at the base of the water drainage stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: Eric M. Bacolas
  • Patent number: 11771061
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a pet collar that can be configured to determine its geolocational position and evaluate that position with respect to the geo-fence of a predetermined, geo-fenced “safe” zone. If the collar determines that its position is inside a safe zone but is near the geo-fence, the collar can be configured to provide a warning correction. If the collar determines that it is outside a predetermined safe zone, the collar can also be configured to provide a stronger correction to discourage the pet from continuing away from the safe zone. The collar can also be configured to guide the pet back to the safe zone such as by varying the strength and/or type of correction provided based at least in part on the distance of the collar from the geo-fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Protect Animals with Satellites, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Ehrman, Michael Ehrman
  • Patent number: 11766000
    Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A recirculation duct is in fluid communication with the grow chamber and a fan assembly circulates a flow of air through the recirculation duct and the grow chamber. A gas sensing assembly includes a gas sensor positioned within the recirculation duct for detecting the concentration of a gas within the flow of air and a flow stabilization device at least partially surrounding the gas sensor for reducing pressure fluctuations in the flow of air and improving gas sensor accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Vineeth Vijayan
  • Patent number: 11758860
    Abstract: An alga growing apparatus that includes a gas dissolving portion, an alga tank, first and second LEDs, a supplying portion, and a circulation pump portion. Gas dissolving portion dissolves carbon dioxide and oxygen into deep-ocean water to form growing water. The circulation pump portion sucks out and delivers the growing water and the nori thalli from the alga tank 30 to the gas dissolving portion and injects the growing water and the nori thalli into the alga tank upon passage through the gas dissolving portion and a supply pipe of the supplying portion. The supplying portion discharges the growing water and the nori thalli along a direction obliquely intersecting a curving direction of an inner side surface of the alga tank and the growing water flows inside the alga tank as an eddy flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: NICHIMAN CO., LTD., DAISHIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Satoshi Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Kazumitsu Toya
  • Patent number: 11751540
    Abstract: A retractable leash assembly for an animal includes a first housing, a second housing, a cord member, and a retraction assembly. The first housing may be configured to be connected to a first collar. The second housing may be configured to be connected to a second collar. The cord member may be connected between the first housing and the second housing. The retraction assembly may be connected to the cord member. The first housing may include an opening configured to receive at least a portion of the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Eric A. Echard
  • Patent number: 11744196
    Abstract: A plant cultivating apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a main body, a shelf, and a cultivation container. The cultivation container has a medium formed therein and is supplied with water from the shelf. Specifically, the main body has a cultivation space of a predetermined size formed therein. The shelf is configured to supply and discharge water to and from the cultivation space. The cultivation container is placed to be supported on the shelf, and configured to receive or discharge water from or to the shelf. The cultivation container includes a water flow guide protruding downward from a bottom surface of the cultivation container and having an opening formed at the protruded lower end, and a wick accommodated inside the water flow guide and configured to absorb and hold water introduced through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Mina Yang
  • Patent number: 11745873
    Abstract: To improve safety during a fall of a flying apparatus, a flying apparatus (1) according to a representative embodiment of the present application includes a body unit (2), a lift-force generating part (3) that is connected to the body unit and generates a lift force, a flight control part (14) that controls the lift-force generating part, an abnormality detecting part (15) that detects an abnormality during flight, a parachute device (4) including a parachute (41, 41A) and a parachute accommodating part (42) that accommodates the parachute, and a fall control part (16) that ejects the parachute from the parachute accommodating part according to the detection of the abnormality by the abnormality detecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Mochida
  • Patent number: 11730146
    Abstract: A multi-lead leash system has a housing that is configured to removably capture ends of a plurality of animal leads within the housing with the leads extending outwardly from the housing. The opposite ends of the leads each have coupling to attach the lead to an animal collar. The housing and captured ends are configured such the capture ends are freely movable within the housing to prevent tangling of the respective leads while walking animals attached to the leads, for example. The housing also has a user lead coupling for the removable coupling of a user lead to the housing, the user lead being grasped by a user using the leash system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Jeff Yeager
  • Patent number: 11730098
    Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Rise Gardens Inc.
    Inventors: Henry W. Adams, Craig Field Sampson, Sergio Alonso Marquina, Nicholas Daniel Phillips, Sullivan S. Stewart, Angelo E. Kelvakis, Brandon C. Bay, Enrique Lopez Salido, Diego Alonso Blondet Padro, Jason Matthew Domanski
  • Patent number: 11716969
    Abstract: An animal leash has a flexible line extending from a connector that attaches to the animal. A grip handle is supported for sliding at an intermediate location along the line. The grip handle has a main body with a leash passage receiving the line therethrough and an outer surface for gripping in a hand of a user. Two cavities formed within the main body at a location between one of the major surfaces of the leash passage and the outer surface so as to define a material bridge extending radially outward from the major surface to the outer surface whereby a radially compressive force applied to the outer surface is transferred through the material bridge to the major surface of the passage so as to collapse the passage and grip the line to prevent sliding of the grip handle along the line when applying compressive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Gregg Druxman
  • Patent number: 11690350
    Abstract: A system for managing objects is provided. The system comprises a data collection gateway and a plurality of apparatus. Each of the plurality of apparatus obtains parameters relating to objects in a farm from a server through the data collection gateway. The parameters include a reference threshold weight of the objects. Each of the plurality of apparatus collects weights of the objects through sensors. Also, each of the plurality of apparatus adjusts the reference threshold weight based on the obtained parameters to generate an adjusted threshold weight. Further, each of the plurality of apparatus sorts the objects to different areas in the farm based on the adjusted threshold weight and the collected weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: COMAX LIVESTOCK TECHNOLOGY (JIANGSU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gangpu Lee, Genping Xu, Zhen Luo, Shenjiang He, Weibo Zhang, Wenjun Ye
  • Patent number: 11684034
    Abstract: An animal litter box includes: a tray housing including a urine passage portion and an insertion opening; and a tray including an absorbent-body placement surface. The urine passage portion has holes through which urine pass downward. The insertion opening is formed in a front surface of the tray housing. On the absorbent-body placement surface, an absorbent body for absorbing urine that has passed through the holes is placed. The tray is housed in the tray housing from the insertion opening in such a way that the tray is capable of being pulled out forward. The tray is capable of being housed in the tray housing with an orientation of the tray in the front-back direction reversed. The tray includes an identification portion in a part of the tray other than the absorbent-body placement surface, and the identification portion is for identifying one side and another side in the front-back direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chiyo Takai, Shinya Kaneko, Yuki Koido
  • Patent number: 11678613
    Abstract: A horticultural container for attaching to a railing, including a planter body, at least one leg extending downward from the planter body, and a connecting device. The planter body rests on top of the top rail of the railing, while the legs straddle the top rail. The connecting device attaches to each leg below the top rail, and receives balusters of the railing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: THE HC COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Drew Keeble, Mark Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 11666032
    Abstract: A milking system includes one or more milking devices and a control unit. The system is provided with a plurality of milking cups, a first milk jar for receiving the milking, a first pumping device for pumping the milking, a second milk jar for receiving the milking from the first milk jar, a second pumping device for pumping at least a part of the milking, and at least one storage tank for storing at least a part of the milking. The second pumping device pumps the milking at a lower flow rate than that at which the first pumping device pumps the milking. As a result, the milk is for the most part moved with low mechanical load and little admixture with air which improves milk quality. In the case of a plurality of milking devices in the milking system, various milkings can be moved and treated separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: LELY PATENT N.V.
    Inventor: Robertus Carolus Maria Van De Meerendonk
  • Patent number: 11632937
    Abstract: A spraying leash assembly includes a leash unit that has a retractable leash such that the leash can be attached to a collar of a dog for walking the dog. A reservoir is coupled to the leash unit and the reservoir is hollow to contain a liquid. A spray nozzle is integrated into the reservoir to spray the fluid outwardly from the reservoir onto the dog thereby distracting the dog from barking. A light emitter is coupled to the reservoir to emit light. A handle is coupled to the reservoir and the handle can be gripped for carrying the reservoir and the leash unit. A speaker is integrated into the handle for emitting an audible sound to distract the dog from barking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventor: Paula Delle Donne
  • Patent number: 11632914
    Abstract: The present invention provides a smart plant cultivation device and a smart plant cultivation system which, by using an Internet of things (IoT) technology, can automatically configure a cultivation environment according to a variety of plants, automatically perform zoning control of a light source module, and monitor and record a cultivation process of a plant through a user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SK MAGIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun Muk Choi, Oh Yong Kwon, Seung Hun Choi, Jae Sung Park
  • Patent number: 11612111
    Abstract: The disclosed container defines (i) an “interior” configured to interact with a fluid and/or developing plants, and (ii) an “exterior” that at least partially defines a perimeter around the interior. The disclosed container may further include stacking features/elements which allow one container to be stacked/nested one upon the other. The disclosed container may further include features/elements which enable one container to be connected adjacent to the other. The disclosed container may further include (i) features/elements for delivering fluid, (ii) features/elements for draining fluid, and (iii) features/elements for supporting developing plants that are conducive to their growing within the disclosed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: AeroFarms, Inc.
    Inventors: Elaine Kung, Nicholas Philip Robert Barclay, John Neill, John James Tarter, Justin Robert Zabilansky
  • Patent number: 11606912
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method that can effectively/efficiently increase the amount of a phenolic compound such as a polyphenol. The invention provides a method for increasing an amount of a phenolic compound in a plant, or a method for producing a plant containing an increased amount of a phenolic compound, the method comprising irradiating the/a plant with ultraviolet light, wherein a fluence at wavelengths of 270 to 290 nm is 1500 to 50000 ?mol/m2 and a fluence at wavelengths of 310 to 400 nm is less than 50% of that at wavelengths of 270 to 290 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Okazawa, Yasuo Fujikawa, Tomohiro Tsurumoto
  • Patent number: 11603186
    Abstract: A removable passive airflow oscillation device can be disposed within a pressurized wing structure utilized as a plenum. The passive airflow oscillation device can be a removable insert disposed into exterior vehicle surfaces with pressurization of a sealed chamber to provide the airflow. The device can include a cavity configured to receive the airflow from an ingress opening, direct the airflow therethrough to generate a predetermined oscillating airflow, and expel the oscillatory airflow from the egress opening. The removable passive airflow oscillation devices can provide quick and simple replacement and maintenance of damaged or clogged devices. The aft chamber of the flap seal can be sealed and pressurized to serve as a plenum providing the airflow to the actuators. The device can receive airflow, such as compressor air, and expel an oscillating airflow. Because each device is self-contained the number of devices and location thereof can vary by application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Wood, Lawrence M. Corso
  • Patent number: 11589525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plant cultivation device (1) having: a housing (2), a receiving drum (3) which is rotatably mounted on the housing (2) and comprises multiple plant receiving containers (5) for plants (6), a drive (8) for rotating the receiving drum (3) within the housing (2), and a robot device (10) with a mounting (11) for a first working head (12) for supplying the plants (6) into the plant receiving containers (5), comprising a first linear guide (13) for moving the mounting (11) for the first working head (12) along a first axis and comprising a second linear guide (14) for moving the first linear guide (13) together with the mounting (11) for the first working head (12) along a second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Lucas Schmutzer