Patents Assigned to Welbourne Innovations, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8166917
    Abstract: Animal-activated feeding systems and methods. The systems include a self-sealing valve assembly that, responsive to activation of a feed-flow activation member by an animal, selectively delivers a flow of the liquid feed to a vessel for consumption by the animal. The valve body further includes a valve member, which is configured to selectively obstruct the feed flow path, and a feed-flow activation member coupled to the valve member. The feed-flow activation member and valve member are selectively positionable between at least a sealed position and a range of activated positions. The valve assembly may include a buoyant activation restriction member adapted to restrict at least further or subsequent activation of the valve assembly responsive to the level of liquid feed in the vessel. The valve assembly may be configured to dispense the feed in a confined stream and/or in a generally horizontal or lateral direction into the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Welbourne Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen B. Welbourne
  • Publication number: 20100326364
    Abstract: Animal euthanasia devices include an animal receiving region, a user input mechanism operatively connected to the animal receiving region, and a control system configured to be operatively connected to a current source. The control system is configured to selectively permit current to flow from the current source through an animal to be euthanized that is positioned within the animal receiving region to effectively and humanely euthanize the animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Welbourne Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Welbourne, Keith Elledge, Randy Gress
  • Patent number: 7779787
    Abstract: A valve system for accepting fluid from a source supply at an upper end thereof, and ejecting it into a liquid container located below the valve system, including a fluid ejection limiting float element control located at the lower end of the valve system, to limit the amount of fluid which can be ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Welbourne Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen B. Welbourne
  • Patent number: 6981469
    Abstract: A system for accepting fluid from a source supply, then ejecting it along a substantially non-radial laterally oriented locus such that the fluid enters a cup with a mixing effect but with only minimal splashing, typically including a restriction element frame which substantially bisects the cup serves to control access thereto and a float based automatic flow restricting element; and methodology for its use in the liquid feeding of animals such as piglets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Welbourne Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen B. Welbourne