Patents by Inventor Michael E. Hartman
Michael E. Hartman 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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Publication number: 20150034638Abstract: A package assembly for automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, wherein a flexure channel is defined in each of opposite sides of at least one of the first or second portions, the flexure channels cooperating to define a flexure axis extending through the pair of flexure channels. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may allow at least one of first and second portions of the package assembly to flex about the flexure axis in response to an opening force exerted on the package assembly such that the first and second portions separate in response to the opening force.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Daniel M. Goldman, Michael E. Hartman, James L. Hunter, David L. Johnson, Griffiths J. Tucker
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Patent number: 8943785Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated high-throughput processing seed requests or orders includes an autonomous single seed counter and packager which operates by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a thresher, a spiral separator, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining segregation from subsequent seed being processed. Validation of the seed request matching the sample requested occurs prior to processing and information about the seed to process or having been processed can be derived and stored for further use.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Pioneer Hi Bred International IncInventors: Roger Blickhan, Bruce E. Cadwell, Joseph L. Glaubitz, David W. Goldsberry, Michael E. Hartman, Kent Hoeppner, James L. Hunter, Timothy P. Meyer, Andrew S. Nickerson, Lyndon J. Schroeder, Mark Spicer, Timothy J. Wilhelm
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Patent number: 8887938Abstract: A package assembly for automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, wherein a flexure channel is defined in each of opposite sides of at least one of the first or second portions, the flexure channels cooperating to define a flexure axis extending through the pair of flexure channels. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may allow at least one of first and second portions of the package assembly to flex about the flexure axis in response to an opening force exerted on the package assembly such that the first and second portions separate in response to the opening force.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel M. Goldman, Michael E. Hartman, James L. Hunter, David L. Johnson, Griffiths J. Tucker
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Patent number: 8834089Abstract: A package assembly handling system for handling package assemblies in an automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a package assembly handling system for handling a package assembly comprising first and second portions that cooperate to contain a particulate aliquot, the system including a package assembly handling device configured for applying a force to the package assembly so that the first and second portions at least partially separate, thus releasing at least a portion of the particulate aliquot.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2010Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel M. Goldman, Michael E. Hartman, James L. Hunter, David L. Johnson, Griffiths J. Tucker
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Patent number: 8702371Abstract: A method for handling package assemblies in an automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a method of handling a package assembly containing a particulate aliquot (such as a selected type of agricultural seed) that includes first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, the method including receiving the package assembly in a package assembly handling device, and applying a force to the package assembly using the package assembly handling device so that the first and second portions at least partially separate in response to the force.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Pioneer Hi Bred International IncInventors: Daniel M. Goldman, Michael E. Hartman, James L. Hunter, David L. Johnson, Griffiths J. Tucker
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Patent number: 7938284Abstract: A package assembly for automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, wherein a pair of flexure channels are defined in opposing sides of at least one of the first or second portions, the flexure channels cooperating to define a flexure axis extending through the pair of flexure channels. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may allow at least one of first and second portions of the package assembly to flex about the flexure axis in response to a force exerted on the package assembly such that the first and second portions separate in response to the force.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel M. Goldman, Michael E. Hartman, James L. Hunter, David L. Johnson, Griffiths J. Tucker
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Publication number: 20110047042Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated high-throughput processing seed requests or orders includes an autonomous single seed counter and packager which operates by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a thresher, a spiral separator, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining segregation from subsequent seed being processed. Validation of the seed request matching the sample requested occurs prior to processing and information about the seed to process or having been processed can be derived and stored for further use.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: ROGER BLICKHAN, BRUCE E. CADWELL, JOSEPH L. GLAUBITZ, DAVID W. GOLDSBERRY, MICHAEL E, HARTMAN, KENT HOEPPNER, JAMES L. HUNTER, TIMOTHY P. MEYER, ANDREW S. NICKERSON, LYNDON J. SCHROEDER, MARK SPICER, TIMOTHY J. WILHELM
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Publication number: 20100209221Abstract: A package assembly handling system for handling package assemblies in an automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a package assembly handling system for handling a package assembly comprising first and second portions that cooperate to contain a particulate aliquot, the system including a package assembly handling device configured for applying a force to the package assembly so that the first and second portions at least partially separate, thus releasing at least a portion of the particulate aliquot.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Daniel M. Goldman, Michael E. Hartman, James L. Hunter, David L. Johnson, Griffiths J. Tucker
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Publication number: 20090283520Abstract: A package assembly for automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, wherein a flexure channel is defined in each of opposite sides of at least one of the first or second portions, the flexure channels cooperating to define a flexure axis extending through the pair of flexure channels. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may allow at least one of first and second portions of the package assembly to flex about the flexure axis in response to an opening force exerted on the package assembly such that the first and second portions separate in response to the opening force.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Daniel M. Goldman, Michael E. Hartman, James L. Hunter, David L. Johnson, Griffiths J. Tucker
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Publication number: 20090010750Abstract: A method for handling package assemblies in an automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a method of handling a package assembly containing a particulate aliquot (such as a selected type of agricultural seed) that includes first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, the method including receiving the package assembly in a package assembly handling device, and applying a force to the package assembly using the package assembly handling device so that the first and second portions at least partially separate in response to the force.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Daniel M. Goldman, Michael E. Hartman, James L. Hunter, David L. Johnson, Griffiths J. Tucker
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Patent number: 7412880Abstract: A device and method for applying a wind force to a plurality of plants in an agricultural environment is provided to screen for selected wind-resistance traits in the plurality of plants. In one embodiment of the present invention, a device is provided including a generating device for creating a moving fluid stream to provide the wind force, a directing device, such as a duct and/or movable vane, for precisely and selectively directing the wind force towards a portion of at least one plant, and a controller for adjusting one or more parameters of the fluid stream. The device and/or method embodiments of the present invention may thus be used to selectively apply the wind force to one or more plants (or portions thereof) such that the plants may be evaluated with respect to one or more wind-resistant physical characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Roberto Barreiro, Lori Carrigan, Mohammadreza Ghaffarzadeh, Daniel M. Goldman, Michael E. Hartman, David L. Johnson, Loren Steenhoek
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Patent number: 5979252Abstract: A static sample divider of the present invention is adapted to sample a flow of material such as seed. The sample divider includes a housing which encloses an upwardly facing cone disposed above one or more sample cups. The sample cups are coupled to a sample receiving tube. When a flow of material is directed toward the cone, the cone spreads the flow of material radially and outwardly where a portion is caught by the sample cups and dumped into the sample receiving tube. The remainder of the material is discharged through a discharge tube. The sample cups can be removed and replaced with different numbers or different sizes of sample cups to control the proportion of material sampled.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Cyrille J. Precetti, James W. Stevenson, Michael E. Hartman
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Patent number: D428783Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1999Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Cyrille J. Precetti, Michael E. Hartman