Patents by Inventor Merritt Jenkins
Merritt Jenkins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11975442Abstract: A tower closing apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the closing of a multi-piece, hinged hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower closing apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, tower body alignment rollers, face plate manipulation rollers, face closing rollers, etc.) to close a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the closing apparatus, a series of face plate manipulation rollers gradually rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) from a fully open position to a partially closed position. Next a series of face closing rollers continue to rotate the face plate(s) from the partially closed position to the fully closed position, forcing the fasteners to latch the face plate(s) into position.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Inventors: Matthew Matera, Adam Thomas Stagnaro, Maria Malone, Anna Olson, Brice Klein, Tamara Hasoon, Merritt Jenkins, Andy Dubel
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Patent number: 11951610Abstract: A tower opening apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the opening of a multi-piece, hinged, hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower opening apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, stationary wedges, longitudinal ramps, etc.) to open a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the opening apparatus, the fastener(s) holding the face plate(s) to the tower body is released by a wedge(s). After the fastener(s) is released, the face plate(s) is partially rotated about the tower body, thereby partially opening the tower cavity(s). Next a longitudinal ramp(s) continues to rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) to a fully open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: MJNN LLCInventors: Brice Klein, Matthew Matera, Andy Dubel, Merritt Jenkins, Tamara Hasoon, Maria Malone, Anna Olson, Mark Cuson
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Patent number: 11723328Abstract: A hydroponic tower cleaning and debris removal system is provided that is configured to automatically clean and remove plant and material debris from within a hinged, hydroponic tower as well as the plant containers contained within such a hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower cleaning system utilizes a drive system to force the tower through the apparatus; an alignment system to ensure that the tower remains in proper alignment throughout the cleaning process; a brush system that initiates separation of plant debris from the tower/plant containers and ensures that the plant roots are torn apart; a plunger system to eject plant debris from within the plant containers; an air delivery system to blow away the debris; and rollers to maintain tower face alignment during the cleaning process.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: MJNN LLCInventors: Matthew Matera, Brice Klein, Tamara Hasoon, Merritt Jenkins, Andrew Dubel, Michael Peter Flynn
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Publication number: 20210169028Abstract: A tower closing apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the closing of a multi-piece, hinged hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower closing apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, tower body alignment rollers, face plate manipulation rollers, face closing rollers, etc.) to close a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the closing apparatus, a series of face plate manipulation rollers gradually rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) from a fully open position to a partially closed position. Next a series of face closing rollers continue to rotate the face plate(s) from the partially closed position to the fully closed position, forcing the fasteners to latch the face plate(s) into position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Matthew Matera, Adam Thomas Stagnaro, Maria Malone, Anna Olson, Brice Klein, Tamara Hasoon, Merritt Jenkins, Andy Dubel
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Publication number: 20200352122Abstract: A hydroponic tower cleaning and debris removal system is provided that is configured to automatically clean and remove plant and material debris from within a hinged, hydroponic tower as well as the plant containers contained within such a hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower cleaning system utilizes a drive system to force the tower through the apparatus; an alignment system to ensure that the tower remains in proper alignment throughout the cleaning process; a brush system that initiates separation of plant debris from the tower/plant containers and ensures that the plant roots are torn apart; a plunger system to eject plant debris from within the plant containers; an air delivery system to blow away the debris; and rollers to maintain tower face alignment during the cleaning process.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: MJNN, LLCInventors: Matthew Matera, Brice Klein, Tamara Hasoon, Merritt Jenkins, Andrew Dubel, Michael Peter Flynn
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Patent number: 10750675Abstract: A planting system for use with a vertical hydroponic tower. The planting system includes a payload transport system and a planter. The payload transport system, which is configured to be positioned at a location adjacent to the hydroponic tower, includes a base and a lift tower, the lift tower including a motorized lift system configured to move the planter upward and downward. The planter is configured to insert plant containers containing seedlings into the hydroponic tower as the motorized payload lift system moves the planter upwards along the face of the tower.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: MJNN, LLCInventors: Matthew Matera, Mark Cuson, Alexandre Le Roux, Anna Olson, Brice Klein, Michael Flynn, Merritt Jenkins
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Patent number: 10682769Abstract: A tower closing apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the closing of a multi-piece, hinged hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower closing apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, tower body alignment rollers, face plate manipulation rollers, face closing rollers, etc.) to close a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the closing apparatus, a series of face plate manipulation rollers gradually rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) from a fully open position to a partially closed position. Next a series of face closing rollers continue to rotate the face plate(s) from the partially closed position to the fully closed position, forcing the fasteners to latch the face plate(s) into position.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: MJNN, LLCInventors: Matthew Matera, Adam Thomas Stagnaro, Maria Malone, Anna Olson, Brice Klein, Tamara Hasoon, Merritt Jenkins, Andy Dubel
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Publication number: 20200037525Abstract: A tower opening apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the opening of a multi-piece, hinged, hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower opening apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, stationary wedges, longitudinal ramps, etc.) to open a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the opening apparatus, the fastener(s) holding the face plate(s) to the tower body is released by a wedge(s). After the fastener(s) is released, the face plate(s) is partially rotated about the tower body, thereby partially opening the tower cavity(s). Next a longitudinal ramp(s) continues to rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) to a fully open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: MJNN, LLCInventors: Brice Klein, Matthew Matera, Andy Dubel, Merritt Jenkins, Tamara Hasoon, Maria Malone, Anna Olson, Mark Cuson
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Publication number: 20200039087Abstract: A tower closing apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the closing of a multi-piece, hinged hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower closing apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, tower body alignment rollers, face plate manipulation rollers, face closing rollers, etc.) to close a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the closing apparatus, a series of face plate manipulation rollers gradually rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) from a fully open position to a partially closed position. Next a series of face closing rollers continue to rotate the face plate(s) from the partially closed position to the fully closed position, forcing the fasteners to latch the face plate(s) into position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: MJNN, LLCInventors: Matthew Matera, Adam Thomas Stagnaro, Maria Malone, Anna Olson, Brice Klein, Tamara Hasoon, Merritt Jenkins, Andy Dubel
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Publication number: 20190387689Abstract: A planting system is provided for use with a vertical hydroponic tower. The planting system includes a payload transport system and a planter. The payload transport system, which is configured to be positioned at a location adjacent to the hydroponic tower, includes a base and a lift tower, the lift tower including a motorized lift system configured to move the planter upward and downward. The planter is configured to insert plant containers containing seedlings into the hydroponic tower as the motorized payload lift system moves the planter upwards along the face of the tower.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: MJNN, LLCInventors: Matthew Matera, Mark Cuson, Alexandre Le Roux, Anna Olson, Brice Klein, Michael Flynn, Merritt Jenkins