Patents Assigned to Becker-Underwood, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8551913
    Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and compositions for reducing the bridging of treated seeds, including some that also enhance the survivability of any beneficial microorganisms included in the composition or mixed therewith and/or enhance the yield of the plants that grow from the seed to which the treatment is applied. The various compositions can include sugar and oil, while other embodiments include sugar, oil, and an emulsifying agent, and certain embodiments include sugar, oil, and at least one microorganism. In various embodiments, the oil can be, for example, a heavy lubricating oil such as mineral oil or silicone oil, and the sugar can be, for example, a non-reducing sugar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Becker Underwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Pearce, R. D. Piran Cargeeg
  • Publication number: 20130251901
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for coating a particulate material. A mixer defines a mixing chamber and receives a particulate material. An agitator includes a plurality of arms projecting radially outward from the shaft and a plurality of paddle blades positioned on the ends of the arms. The blades are formed such that the particulate material in the mixing chamber is directed in a rotational direction, a radially inward direction and an axial direction within the mixing chamber. A material feed system is provided for delivering a first coating material into the mixing chamber during rotation of the agitator, a polymer material during mixing of the coated particulate material and a reaction material for causing a reaction between the colorant feed and the polymer feed for creating an encapsulated particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Becker Underwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Loucks, Robert J. Wampler, Terry Potter, Brent Packer, David Roller, Douglas Grunder
  • Publication number: 20120208699
    Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and compositions for reducing the bridging of treated seeds, including some that also enhance the survivability of any beneficial microorganisms included in the composition or mixed therewith and/or enhance the yield of the plants that grow from the seed to which the treatment is applied. The various compositions can include sugar and oil, while other embodiments include sugar, oil, and an emulsifying agent, and certain embodiments include sugar, oil, and at least one microorganism. In various embodiments, the oil can be, for example, a heavy lubricating oil such as mineral oil or silicone oil, and the sugar can be, for example, a non-reducing sugar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: BECKER-UNDERWOOD, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Pearce, R.D. Piran Cargeeg
  • Publication number: 20120077674
    Abstract: This document relates to the use of jasmonate or related compounds in combination with crop input products (e.g., herbicides, pesticides, bioactives or biologicals, seed treatment components, semiochemicals, and the like) to induce biodefense activity in plants. Also provided are compositions comprising a jasmonate or related compound with one or more crop input product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: BECKER-UNDERWOOD, INC.
    Inventors: R.D. Piran Cargeeg, Kurt Seevers
  • Publication number: 20110272408
    Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to improved containers for transporting microorganisms and other living material. Certain embodiments include air-permeable bladders having an air-permeable inner wall and a stronger outer wall having perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Becker Underwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Pearce, Anthony Robert Hoare, Mary Ann Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20110268704
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for producing a liquid inoculant containing a desiccant. The method can improve survival and stability of bacteria in liquid inoculants in pack and on seeds. The method includes providing a liquid inoculant of a bacteria grown to a substantially stationary phase. A desiccant treatment containing a desiccant is added to the liquid inoculant to form a partially desiccated inoculant product. The partially desiccated inoculant product can be packaged and stored. The partially desiccated inoculant product can also be applied to seeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Becker Underwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy David Pearce, Mary Ann Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8020343
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for producing a liquid inoculant containing a desiccant. The method can improve survival and stability of bacteria in liquid inoculants in pack and on seeds. The method includes providing a liquid inoculant of a bacterium grown to a substantially stationary phase. A desiccant treatment containing a desiccant is added to the liquid inoculant to form a partially desiccated inoculant product. The partially desiccated inoculant product can be packaged and stored. The partially desiccated inoculant product can also be applied to seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Becker Underwood Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy David Pearce, Mary Ann Carpenter, R. D. Piran Cargeeg, Guoping Yang
  • Patent number: 8011132
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for producing a liquid inoculant containing a desiccant. The method can improve survival and stability of bacteria in liquid inoculants in pack and on seeds. The method includes providing a liquid inoculant of a bacteria grown to a substantially stationary phase. A desiccant treatment containing a desiccant is added to the liquid inoculant to form a partially desiccated inoculant product. The partially desiccated inoculant product can be packaged and stored. The partially desiccated inoculant product can also be applied to seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Becker Underwood Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy David Pearce, Mary Ann Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20110086228
    Abstract: Substantially environmentally inert materials that include substrates coated with a green-colored barrier layer containing at least a film forming polymer; organic pigment green 7; and yellow iron oxide pigment are disclosed. In the layer, the organic pigment green 7 and the yellow iron oxide pigment are present in the layer in a weight ratio of about 1:about 3 to about 1:about 5. Suitable substrates include crumb rubber, sand, chipped rubber and other particulate substrates. Related compositions, methods and recreation fields upon which such materials have been disposed are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Becker Underwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry G. Oien, Stephen M. Loucks, Robert J. Wampler
  • Publication number: 20100229461
    Abstract: A coating is provided for a landscaping material, comprising a hybrid network of high functionality structured oligomeric siloxane and a polyalkylene glycol coupled with a co-product of monopropylene glycol and propylene oxide. The coating may be coupled with a pigmented colorant and be further mixed with a water-based carrier. The coating is contemplated to increase the efficiency of the mulch as compared to plain mulch material and other coating materials. A testing apparatus, including a retention basin and water measuring basin, are also defined as a means to determine the efficiency of the mulch material and its corresponding coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Becker-Underwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry G. Oien, Rebecca Lister
  • Publication number: 20070074451
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for producing a liquid inoculant containing a desiccant. The method can improve survival and stability of bacteria in liquid inoculants in pack and on seeds. The method includes providing a liquid inoculant of a bacterium grown to a substantially stationary phase. A desiccant treatment containing a desiccant is added to the liquid inoculant to form a partially desiccated inoculant product. The partially desiccated inoculant product can be packaged and stored. The partially desiccated inoculant product can also be applied to seeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Becker Underwood Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy David Pearce, Mary Ann Carpenter, R.D. Piran Cargeeg, Guoping Yang
  • Publication number: 20060150488
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for producing a liquid inoculant containing a desiccant. The method can improve survival and stability of bacteria in liquid inoculants in pack and on seeds. The method includes providing a liquid inoculant of a bacteria grown to a substantially stationary phase. A desiccant treatment containing a desiccant is added to the liquid inoculant to form a partially desiccated inoculant product. The partially desiccated inoculant product can be packaged and stored. The partially desiccated inoculant product can also be applied to seeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: Becker Underwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Pearce, Mary Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6551401
    Abstract: A machine for coloring landscaping material is defined as having first and second mixing chamber segments in which liquid colorant is introduced into the first segment in the form of a liquid spray and into the second segment in the form of an aerosol. Paddles supported by arms secured to a rotating shaft are provided through the first and second segments to mix and convey the landscaping material during coloring. Increased tip speed of the paddles is provided by relatively longer arms in the second segment to enhance interaction between the landscaping material and the aerosol colorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Becker-Underwood, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Winistorfer, Douglas E. Grunder, Brent Lester
  • Patent number: 6536939
    Abstract: A mixing system with a vessel for supplying a liquid and a device for supplying solid pieces to mix with the liquid. The system has an elongate enclosure with a first end opposing a second end. The enclosure defines a chamber in fluid communication with the vessel to receive the liquid. The chamber also has a inlet and an outlet with the inlet being closer to the first end than the outlet. The chamber receives the pieces from the device through the inlet and issues the pieces through the outlet. A motor driven mixing auger positioned in the chamber between the first and second ends rotates a selected direction about a rotational axis to intermix the liquid and pieces. The auger includes a first helical flight between the inlet and the outlet to convey the pieces from the inlet to the outlet when the shaft is rotated the selected direction. The auger also includes a second helical flight between the first flight and the second end to urge the solid pieces in a direction opposite the first flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Becker Underwood, Inc.
    Inventor: David Blue
  • Patent number: 6517232
    Abstract: A system includes a first pump to meter colorant and a second pump to pressurize a mixture of water and the colorant. Also included is a mixer body defining a chamber with an inlet and an outlet and one or more liquid input ports in fluid communication with the second pump to receive the mixture. The chamber receives solid pieces through the inlet and discharges the pieces through the outlet. One or more rotary conveying members are included that are positioned in the chamber to intermix the mixture and the solid pieces and convey the solid pieces from the inlet to the outlet. These members can be rotated by one or more drivers. A process and system for treating cinders are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Becker-Underwood, Inc.
    Inventor: David Blue
  • Patent number: 4932156
    Abstract: A method for controlling the color of mulch for retarding the fading of the color of the mulch and/or restoring the color of mulch that has faded due to prolonged exposure to actinic light and ambient weather conditions by applying a brown color-control solution to the surface of the mulch. The resulting mulch product has a long-lasting fresh, new appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Becker-Underwood, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger C. Underwood