Patents by Inventor Michael H. Houck
Michael H. Houck 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: 6497031Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a drainage line unit. The apparatus includes a mandrel having an inner cavity. Rear, upper and front openings communicate with the mandrel cavity. Preferably, a controller connected to at least one sensor is operably positioned to control the apparatus. A pipe feeder feeds perforated vent pipe through the inner cavity of the mandrel from the rear opening to the front opening and therethrough. The pipe is positioned within the inner tube cavity so as to define a void space between the pipe and the wall of the mandrel. A hopper assembly has an exit port positioned for feeding a plurality of plastic bodies into the cavity. A blower produces a sufficient air flow through the mandrel cavity for moving the plurality of plastic bodies to substantially fill the void space so that the pipe emerges from the front opening of the mandrel surrounded by the plurality of plastic bodies.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2000Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: RING Industrial Group, L.P.Inventors: Michael H. Houck, Thomas K. Weaver
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Patent number: 6482319Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of waste water effluent includes a main conduit connected to a source of waste water, and a removable filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter comprising a light weight particulate material for filtration of the effluent. A drain field for filtration treatment of waste water effluent comprises a source of waste water effluent, a main conduit in fluid connection with the source of waste water, and at least one in-line filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter comprising light weight particulate material. The drain field may comprise at least one extension conduit connected in fluid communication with the main conduit and extending substantially upwardly therefrom, said extension conduit having a removable cap comprising a sensor to thereby generate a signal when water in said extension conduit reaches a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Inventors: Michael H. Houck, Thomas K. Weaver
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Publication number: 20020125186Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of waste water effluent includes a main conduit connected to a source of waste water, and a removable filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter comprising a light weight particulate material for filtration of the effluent. A drain field for filtration treatment of waste water effluent comprises a source of waste water effluent, a main conduit in fluid connection with the source of waste water, and at least one in-line filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter comprising light weight particulate material. The drain field may comprise at least one extension conduit connected in fluid communication with the main conduit and extending substantially upwardly therefrom, said extension conduit having a removable cap comprising a sensor to thereby generate a signal when water in said extension conduit reaches a predetermined level.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Michael H. Houck, Thomas K. Weaver
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Patent number: 6443652Abstract: An aggregate chamber for leaching effluent comprises a chamber cavity, at least one panel positioned along a periphery of the chamber cavity, and aggregate for filtering effluent. The chamber unit may include a plurality of foldingly connected panels, and at least one conduit for delivering effluent. A leach line comprises a trench excavated in a leach field, and a plurality of chamber units having a cavity, at least one panel, and aggregate for filtering effluent. A leach field comprises a source of effluent, a plurality of trenches excavated in the soil adjacent the source of effluent, and a plurality of leach lines positioned in the plurality of trenches in fluid connection with the source of effluent, each leach line having at least one chamber unit comprising a cavity, at least one panel, and an aggregate for filtering effluent.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Inventors: Michael H. Houck, Thomas K. Weaver
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Patent number: 6440304Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of waste water effluent includes a main conduit connected to a source of waste water, and a removable filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter having a light weight particulate material for filtration of the effluent. A drain field for filtration treatment of waste water effluent includes a source of waste water effluent, a main conduit in fluid connection with the source of waste water, and at least one in-line filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter having a light weight particulate material. The drain field may include at least one extension conduit connected in fluid communication with the main conduit and extending substantially upwardly therefrom, the extension conduit having a removable cap and a sensor to thereby generate a signal when water in the extension conduit reaches a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Inventors: Michael H. Houck, Thomas K. Weaver
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Patent number: 6383372Abstract: A sequential flow filtration chamber for treatment of waste water effluent from a septic tank comprises an inlet positioned in fluid communication with the septic tank for receiving waste water into the chamber, at least one partition positioned within the chamber so as to define a substantially sequential flow path for the waste water, a filter positioned within the flow path for filtering the waste water flowing therethrough, and an outlet positioned in fluid communication with the flow path for discharging filtered waste water from the chamber. The chamber may include a sequential flow path disposed substantially vertically or substantially horizontally. A sequential flow nitrification drain field for filtration treatment of waste water comprises a source of waste water, and at least one sequential flow filtration chamber. The source of waste water for the drain field is preferably a septic tank. The drain field may comprise a plurality of chambers connected in fluid communication.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Inventors: Michael H. Houck, Thomas K. Weaver
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Publication number: 20010050257Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of waste water effluent includes a main conduit connected to a source of waste water, and a removable filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter comprising a light weight particulate material for filtration of the effluent. A drain field for filtration treatment of waste water effluent comprises a source of waste water effluent, a main conduit in fluid connection with the source of waste water, and at least one in-line filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter comprising light weight particulate material. The drain field may comprise at least one extension conduit connected in fluid communication with the main conduit and extending substantially upwardly therefrom, said extension conduit having a removable cap comprising a sensor to thereby generate a signal when water in said extension conduit reaches a predetermined level.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2000Publication date: December 13, 2001Inventors: Michael H. Houck, Thomas K. Weaver
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Patent number: 6267882Abstract: The invention describes a filter container, system and method for filtering sewage effluent from a septic tank. The filter container includes a body having a lower end and an upper end, having walls forming a floor positioned at the lower end and sides connected to the floor and positioned to define an inner cavity extending from the lower end to the upper end. The body of the container has a mouth opening positioned at the upper end to provide access to the inner cavity. A lid is positioned on the upper end of the body so as to cover the mouth cavity to thereby close the container. A plurality of pipes connect the container in fluid communication with the septic tank or with another container, the plurality of pipes including at least one inlet pipe for delivering sewage effluent to the inner cavity and at least one outlet pipe for discharging filtered sewage effluent from the inner cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Shooting Star L.L.C.Inventors: Michael H. Houck, Thomas K. Weaver
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Patent number: 6173483Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a drainage line unit. The apparatus includes a mandrel having an inner cavity. Rear, upper and front openings communicate with the mandrel cavity. Preferably, a controller connected to at least one sensor is operably positioned to control the apparatus. A pipe feeder feeds perforated vent pipe through the inner cavity of the mandrel from the rear opening to the front opening and therethrough. The pipe is positioned within the inner tube cavity so as to define a void space between the pipe and the wall of the mandrel. A hopper assembly has an exit port positioned for feeding a plurality of plastic bodies into the cavity. A blower produces a sufficient air flow through the mandrel cavity for moving the plurality of plastic bodies to substantially fill the void space so that the pipe emerges from the front opening of the mandrel surrounded by the plurality of plastic bodies.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: E Z Flow L.P.Inventors: Michael H. Houck, Thomas K. Weaver
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Patent number: 5657527Abstract: A method for manufacturing preassembled drainage line units comprises feeding a length of perforated vent pipe along a direction of manufacture longitudinally through a tubular mandrel, feeding a continuous sleeve of netting concentrically over the vent pipe along the direction of manufacture from a front end of the mandrel and continuously supplying quantities of artificial aggregate into the space between the sleeve of netting and the vent pipe. A low friction coating is applied to the inside surface of the mandrel to reduce the surface friction of the artificial aggregate caused by compaction, and to permit high speed manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignees: Randall J. Houck, Michael H. HouckInventors: Randall J. Houck, Michael H. Houck, Harold J. Houck
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Patent number: 5639364Abstract: A method for manufacturing preassembled drainage line units comprises feeding a length of perforated vent pipe along a direction of manufacture longitudinally through a tubular mandrel, feeding a continuous sleeve of netting concentrically over the vent pipe along the direction of manufacture from a front end of the mandrel and continuously supplying quantities of artificial aggregate into the space between the sleeve of netting and the vent pipe. A low friction coating is applied to the inside surface of the mandrel to reduce the surface friction of the artificial aggregate caused by compaction, and to permit high speed manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Assignees: Randall J. Houck, Michael H. HouckInventors: Randall J. Houck, Michael H. Houck, Harold J. Houck
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Patent number: 5535499Abstract: A method for manufacturing preassembled drainage line units comprises feeding a length of perforated vent pipe along a direction of manufacture longitudinally through a tubular mandrel, feeding a continuous sleeve of netting concentrically over the vent pipe along the direction of manufacture from a front end of the mandrel and continuously supplying quantities of artificial aggregate into the space between the sleeve of netting and the vent pipe. A low friction coating is applied to the inside surface of the mandrel to reduce the surface friction of the artificial aggregate caused by compaction, and to permit high speed manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Inventors: Randall J. Houck, Michael H. Houck, Harold J. Houck
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Patent number: 5378357Abstract: Preassembled drainage line units for a septic tank nitrification field employ a predetermined length of perforated conduit having an aggregation of discrete, crush resistant, light-weight elements surrounding the length of conduit and a perforated sleeve member enveloping the aggregation and bounding the same relative to the conduit with the ends of the conduit extending beyond the sleeve. The drainage line unit is provided with connecting means at each extending end, for end-to-end interconnection with an adjacent drainage line unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1992Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Assignees: Randall J. Houck, Michael H. HouckInventors: Randall J. Houck, Michael H. Houck, Harold J. Houck
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Patent number: 5154543Abstract: A preassembled unit for a sewage nitrification field has minimum outward dimensions of loose, lightweight plastic aggregate material enveloped and bound by a plastic sleeve around a horizontal conduit. In one embodiment, the unit takes a bag form with an aggregate-filled netting sleeve concentrically surrounding and fastened to the ends of corrugated plastic vent pipe. In another form, the sleeve is a plastic extrusion of rectangular cross-section and the conduit can be formed integrally with the sleeve. Cross-webbing is added for strength. In ground installation, conduitless units make up the insufficiency of aggregate dimension. Mating male and female end caps are used to interconnect the conduit of adjacent units end-to-end. Apparatus for manufacturing the concentric netting sleeve/vent pipe version has a hopper that discharges aggregate into the top of a mandrel and an annular disc or helical auger blade that pushes the aggregate forward into the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1991Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Inventors: Randall J. Houck, Michael H. Houck, Harold J. Houck
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Patent number: 5051028Abstract: A preassembled unit for a sewage nitrification field has minimum outward dimensions of loose, lightweight plastic aggregate material enveloped and bound by a plastic sleeve around a horizontal conduit. In one embodiment, the unit takes a bag form with an aggregate-filled netting sleeve concentrically surrounding and fastened to the ends of corrugated plastic vent pipe. In another form, the sleeve is a plastic extrusion of rectangular cross-section and the conduit can be formed integrally with the sleeve. Cross-webbing is added for strength. In ground installation, conduitless units make up for insufficiency of aggregate dimension. Mating male and female end caps are used to interconnect the conduit of adjacent units end-to-end. Apparatus for manufacturing the concentric netting sleeve/vent pipe version has a hopper that discharges aggregate into the top of a mandrel and an annular disc or helical auger blade that pushes the aggregate forward into the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1991Date of Patent: September 24, 1991Inventors: Randall J. Houck, Michael H. Houck, Harold J. Houck
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Patent number: 5015123Abstract: A preassembled unit for a sewage nitrification field has minimum outward dimensions of loose, lightweight plastic aggregate material enveloped and bound by a plastic sleeve around a horizontal conduit. In one embodiment, the unit takes a bag form with an aggregate-filled netting sleeve concentrically surrounding and fastened to the ends of corrugated plastic vent pipe. In another form, the sleeve is a plastic extrusion of rectangular cross-section and the conduit can be formed integrally with the sleeve. Cross-webbing is added for strength. In ground installation, conduitless units make up insufficiency of aggregate dimension. Mating male and female end caps are used to interconnect the conduit of adjacent units end-to-end. Apparatus for manufacturing the concentric netting sleeve/vent pipe version has a hopper that discharges aggregate into the top of a mandrel and an annular disc or helical auger blade that pushes the aggregate forward into the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1988Date of Patent: May 14, 1991Inventors: Randall J. Houck, Michael H. Houck, Harold J. Houck