Patents Examined by Joshua D Huson
  • Patent number: 10874064
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a grow board may include an outer member that may be engaged with an inner member such that a grow media may be positioned therebetween, secured, and/or tightened by the engagement between the inner and outer members. The outer member may have one or more slots formed therein to allow a plant to grow from the grow media through the slots, wherein the root of the plant may be positioned adjacent the inner member. The inner member may be configured with risers along the periphery and interior to provide a sufficient gap between stacked grow boards to allow for improved penetration of light and air into the seeded and stacked grow boards to aid in seed germination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: LIVING GREENS FARM, INC.
    Inventors: Dana Anderson, Raymond L. Carriere, Richard Stoner, Daniel Lagro
  • Patent number: 10834899
    Abstract: A pet toy having a head region and a tail, the head region having an outer shell defining its shape and for enclosing a fill material. The fill material, contained within the head region is a cat stimulant such as catnip and/or silver vine. A tail in the form of a plurality of feathers is fixed to the head region and fan out there from.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Worldwise, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen Heathwood, Hannah Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 10806100
    Abstract: An energy efficient system for a grow cabinet that maintains optimum growing conditions by reducing the heat contribution of the lighting and distributing air throughout the cabinet to maintain a set temperature uniformly. The system, using a LED lighting module with a reflective light guide plate, provides cool light uniformly to a plurality of plants in the grow cabinet, thereby reducing the amount of cooling required inside to maintain temperature. The lighting module is separate from the growing area, minimizing heat transfer to a grow chamber within the grow cabinet. The system advantageously dissipates heat through a plurality of metal components and beneficial air flow throughout the lighting module and growing chamber. The grow cabinet in the system provides precision control of the light and temperature while having a small footprint and low vertical clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Mendel Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Trtilek
  • Patent number: 10785952
    Abstract: A short milk tube for extending between a milker teat cup and liner assembly and a milker unit and the short milk tube includes a vent seat having an outwardly extending protective vent plug lip, and a stiffener at least partially surrounding the vent seat to control bending of the short milk tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Hedlund
  • Patent number: 10772291
    Abstract: A portable pet feeder and supply storage apparatus has a first compartment having a base and sidewalls defining a first open space; a second compartment having a lid and sidewalls defining a second open space; a divider interposed between the first and second compartments, wherein the second compartment and the divider are hinged to the first compartment, the divider has a gasket; wherein the second compartment and the divider may be pivoted towards the first compartment to assume a closed position, the gasket on the divider providing a water-tight seal between the first compartment and the divider; a water dish and a food dish both removably insertable within the first open space; at least one removable container receivable within the second open space, the removable container configured to be refillable and water-tight; and wherein the second compartment and the divider are removably attachable to the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventors: Rolane Christian Grinnell, John Derrick Anderson
  • Patent number: 10750717
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for performing a cognitive bias assay on a lab animal. The apparatus may include a first base member and a second base member spaced apart from the first base member to form an interior region between the first and second base members. The second base member may include a plurality of spaced apertures providing access to the interior region. Each of the plurality of apertures may be sized to receive a lab animal. The second base member may be configured to support the lab animal. The apparatus may further include a stimulus device operative to project an aversive stimulus towards the second base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Debra L. Hickman-Miller
  • Patent number: 10750726
    Abstract: A system and method to promote biological responses within incubated eggs using lighting devices within an incubation chamber. A light supporting device is installed within the incubation chamber in spaced relation to an incubation device housing a plurality of eggs. The light supporting device is positioned to direct light at pre-determined wavelengths into the interior cavity of the incubation device to irradiate the plurality of eggs to promote a biological response within the eggs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SIGNIFY NORTH AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zdenko Grajcar, Kevin Payne, Karol Licko, Peter Simko, Josef Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10743520
    Abstract: A transmitter sends a radio signal defining the boundary of an area, and at least one receiver worn on the animal includes stimulation applying means to apply stimulation to the animal. The receiver senses the radio signal sent from the transmitter and applies stimulation to the animal when the animal is determined to access the boundary of the particular area based on whether the radio signal is sensed or not. The transmitter and the receiver are configured to set a value of at least one of a stimulation intensity, a stimulation type, a stimulation applying mode to apply and an animal size, according to an animal wearing the receiver, via a direct interface between the transmitter and the receiver, not via the radio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: E-Collar Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Greg Van Curen, Ho-Sung So
  • Patent number: 10716287
    Abstract: A canine emergency rescue harness having at least a pair of straps and mating strap holes or loops. The harness may be constructed from a unitary piece of lightweight and strong material. The harness having a pair of front leg holes and a pair of rear leg holes for accommodating a dog's limbs. The harness being designed to balance a dog on a human's back for transport. The harness may be used in a hands-free manner with the use of secondary straps connected to the primary carrying straps using connectors, such as loops, triglides, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen McClary Keith
  • Patent number: 10701918
    Abstract: A fishing cooler for a beverage container. The fishing cooler preferably has a container insulator with a spool disposed thereon. Optionally, a lure holder can be incorporated into or otherwise attached to the container insulator. A cleat can also optionally be provided on the container insulator. Most preferably, fishing line is wrapped around the spool such that a user can hand-fish while grasping the fishing cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventor: Jacob Rutledge
  • Patent number: 10701908
    Abstract: A system for indoor shrimp aquaculture is described that comprises a plurality of stacked raceways, each raceway being a long, flat rectangular tank comprising at least two sections arranged in series and scaled to accommodate shrimp of increasing size. The sections are separated by a moveable section divider whereby shrimp may be transferred between sections once they reach a predetermined size by opening the moveable section divider and allowing the shrimp and water to flow through into the next section. Each raceway includes a waste collection assembly situated at the downstream end of each section for collecting waste for removal. Methods of using the system to grow shrimp are also provided. The raceways are further adapted to facilitate operation of the production module at large scales, in this way; the system is scaleable to achieve high-throughput production of shrimp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Planet Shrimp Inc.
    Inventors: Marvyn Budd, Miodrag Andric, Daniel Stechey, Douglas Ernst
  • Patent number: 10694737
    Abstract: An animal-entry protection apparatus and related methods for protecting protected areas from animal entry are described. The animal-entry protection apparatus includes an eye-safe laser and a computing device. The animal-entry protection apparatus determines whether an animal has entered into a protected area. After determining that the animal has entered into the protected area, the animal-entry protection apparatus determines a location of the animal within the protected area and activates the eye-safe laser to emit a pulsed laser beam toward the location of the animal. The pulsed laser beam includes laser pulses having a laser-pulse rate that is between a first laser-pulse rate associated with a flicker-fusion frequency of a human eye and a second laser-pulse rate associated with a flicker-fusion frequency of an animal eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Tillotson
  • Patent number: 10681878
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for cultivating surface-growing floating aquatic plants, in particular, duckweeks or lemnoideae species, on a non horizontally positioned sheet-like substrate. The aforementioned system comprises (a) a predetermined volume of growth media flowing through sheet-like substrate provided with a predetermined inoculum of said aquatic plants; (b) at least one sheet-like substrate; (c) an irrigation mechanism configured to a top down irrigation flow in said sheet-like substrate; and (d) a regulation mechanism configured to control said irrigation flow. The present invention further discloses methods for cultivating the aforementioned aquatic plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Hinoman Ltd.
    Inventors: Ehud Elituv, Itzhak Shalev
  • Patent number: 10681876
    Abstract: The invention relates mainly to an above-ground farming module which includes an element for supporting plants defining a root chamber for the aerial portion of the plants, and which includes means for forming a mist of nutritional solution (9) and means (25, 26) for circulating said mist of nutritional solution (30) located in the root chamber (4). The means for forming the mist of nutritional solution (9) advantageously include an ultrasound mister (10) located in the bottom of a misting cell (9) on which at least one opening for propagating the nutritional mist (20) in the root chamber (4) is arranged, and the means (25, 26) for circulating the mist of nutritional solution (30) are located next to said opening (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Inventor: GĂ©rard Varesano
  • Patent number: 10674683
    Abstract: A sap collection assembly to collect sap from sap producing trees includes a cover superposed about a sapling or branch cut surface with one or more spacers used to maintain a gap between the cover and the cut surface. Elastomeric bands with an optional hose clamp are used to secure the cover to the sapling or branch to create an airtight seal between the cover and the cut surface. A bore hole is created in the sapling or tree branch has one end substantially central to the cut surface and a second end exiting a sidewall of the sapling or branch. Taps with optional tabs are secured to the sapling or branch to retrieve sap from the cut surface and bore. For angled bore holes, a modified tap includes a sapling nozzle angled relative to the tap body to accommodate an angled bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventors: Richard Clark Peele, Mark D. Lorusso
  • Patent number: 10667489
    Abstract: A pet stroller is provided having a frame assembly which includes a base frame and a back frame. A handle is connected to the back frame. A platform is located on the base frame to define a pet seating area. Two rear wheels and at least one front wheel are connected to the base frame. Two foldable struts are provided, between the base and back frames that are lockable in an extended position and releasable to allow folding of the struts. A back door is connected by hinges to the back frame and has a releasable door latch. A canopy is provided including a cloth canopy assembly and the upper and lower canopy bars. A canopy latch releasably connects the lower canopy bar to a front cross member of the base frame to form an enclosed pet seating area. The platform forming the pet seating area is below a level defined by a top of the rear wheels, and preferably less than 12 inches above ground level, accommodating larger pets and eliminating the need to lift the pet into the pet seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Vermont Juvenile Furniture, Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Jakubowski, Todd Jakubowski, Kristen Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 10667470
    Abstract: A supply and/or cooling system contains a supply tube or a supply channel for receiving a liquid and/or a gas, which is coupled to a liquid supply device and/or a gas supply and/or gas suction system and has at least one liquid and/or gas discharge opening in a tube, and a channel base or casing region. A strand-shaped ingredient carrier and/or cooling strand is suspended on the supply tube or the supply channel and/or the supply tube or supply channel coupled to the gas supply and/or a gas suction system is suspended below the at least one ingredient carrier and/or cooling strand. The ingredient carrier contains and/or carries at least one ingredient and the ingredient carrier and/or cooling strand can be supplied with the liquid and/or the gas via the liquid and/or gas discharge opening. The supply tube or the supply channel is vertically moveable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: B+M Textil GmbH & Co. KG, Niklas Andreas Wilm Weisel
    Inventor: Niklas Andreas Wilm Weisel
  • Patent number: 10631470
    Abstract: A garden layout growing system is provided. The system includes a frame and at least a first tray and a second tray. At least one leg extends from the frame. The at least one leg is configured to be received within a growing medium to hold the frame at a select location in relation to the growing medium. Each first and second tray has at least a portion of a first edge that forms at least a portion of at least one plant opening and at least at portion of a second edge that is configured and arranged to be removably attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Jon Parker, Amy Lynn Parker
  • Patent number: 10624317
    Abstract: An edible pet chew has an initially malleable sheet of a hardened chewable material dimensioned large enough and thin enough to be initially malleable for flexing, folding or rolling into a final shape. The sheet is shaped into a final shape by flexing, folding or rolling and then hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: PetMatrix LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stern, Peter B. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 10617065
    Abstract: A seedling nursery member for grafting according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one seedling nursery unit. At least one seedling nursery unit includes a seed storage section configured to store a seed of a plant and have a space for the plant to germinate, a stem storage section configured to store a stem of the plant that has germinated and elongated, and a stem holder configured to hold the elongated stem of the plant. At least a portion of the seed storage section of at least one seedling nursery unit is configured to be openable to the outside of at least one seedling nursery unit. At least a portion of the stem storage section of at least one seedling nursery unit is configured to be openable to the outside of at least one seedling nursery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michitaka Notaguchi, Naoki Yanagisawa, Hideyuki Arata, Shuka Ikematsu