Patents Examined by Ebony Evans
  • Vent for milking liner
    Patent number: 8356576
    Abstract: A vent plug for a milking liner has an outlet that discharges the vent air in the downstream direction. The vent plug has an outlet disposed in the downstream portion of the inner flange of the vent plug so that vent air is directed toward the outlet of the short milk tube. The vent plug outlet also may be disposed in the upstream portion of the inner flange while being configured to direct the vent air in a downstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Lauren Agri Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles Jeffrey Laney, Frank Saho, III, Aaron Kyle Kochman
  • Combination retractable leash assembly and wearable locket for companion pet
    Patent number: 8347824
    Abstract: A retractable leash assembly that may be selectively carried by a user while attached to the collar or other wearable item on a companion pet and carried by the pet while not in use. The leash assembly may be connected to more than one location along the collar or other wearable item for securing the leash assembly to the companion pet. The leash assembly comprises a braking mechanism for stopping the movement of the leash in a preferred embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable leash assembly provides a full-length leash and weighs less than about 85 g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: David Christopher Marshall
  • Pet triggered programmable toy
    Patent number: 8347823
    Abstract: One embodiment of a pet toy having a control module, active triggering module, and passive triggering module. Our device is an interface between a pet and pet toy or other useful device. A pet can trigger at will a moving highly collimated light dot for exercise, entertainment, mental stimulation, education, and even surrogate companionship in the absence of a human caretaker. Pets that fail to learn triggering behavior will benefit from pre-set play periods as programmed or selected by their caretaker and/or passive activation such as infrared detection or another proximity sensing switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Roy Justin Thomas, Robert Barry Bonnell
  • System and method for super-intensive shrimp production
    Patent number: 8336498
    Abstract: A shrimp aquaculture structure including a set of at least two raceways each having a length, width, and at least one depth to give an average depth, and including two ends, two side walls having a top, a sloped bottom joining each side wall at two side wall junctions. Some of five raceways may be stacked at least partially on top of another of the five raceways. According to another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a process of shrimp aquaculture by using the set of five raceways and sequentially transferring shrimp form one raceway to another once the shrimp reach a given average size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventor: Addison Lawrence
  • Animal behavioral positive reinforcement apparatus and method of using same
    Patent number: 8336494
    Abstract: A device provides positive reinforcement and treats for a domesticated animal urinating in a predetermined location. The positive reinforcement includes a message from the owner. A treat is exposed after the owner's message is played to further reward the animal. Absorbent paper is used at the predetermined location for collecting the urine and activating the voice and treat bowl. After a preset time, the used absorbent paper is removed and new absorbent paper is provided automatically. Another version includes a device that uses a single sheet of absorbent paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Perry D. McElroy, Jr.
  • Harness
    Patent number: 8336503
    Abstract: A harness for wearing by a first person. The harness having a handle for grasping by a second person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Genius Happens, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher R. Spinelli
  • Device and method for growing vegetation
    Patent number: 8333033
    Abstract: A device and method for growing vegetation. The device and method can be used for repairing a divot in a grass lawn. The device includes a packet having a water-soluble film surface that contains a mixture of soil and seeds. An example device includes a water-containing device in the packet. When the packet is placed on the ground, such as the divot, and subjected to water, the film dissolves so that the mixture comes into contact with the ground and the seeds can begin to germinate and grow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Gary Michael Bell
  • Top-fill hummingbird feeder with twist bottle valve
    Patent number: 8333168
    Abstract: A liquid bird feeder provides a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottleneck extension at its other end, and a liquid tray having a well adapted to receive the bottleneck extension and at least one feeding port. The sidewall of the well is provided with at least one drain hole and the sidewall of the bottleneck extension with at least one port. The container and bottleneck extension are rotatable within the well to selectively align and misalign the port with the well drain hole to respectively open and close the drain hole upon rotation of the container. In an alternate embodiment, the bottleneck extension is fitted with a collar rotatable with the container. The collar is received in the liquid tray well and includes at least one port. A liquid flow path is formed in the liquid tray for each feeding port to reduce the volume of nectar in the tray at any given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Vaughn, Jr., Christopher J. Kamery, Robert Theodore Cruz, Andrew Gauker
  • Pet game board detail and board game
    Patent number: 8316804
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pet game cover, comprising a body (8) having a height (h), a width (w) and a length (L) arranged to be gripable by the mouth of a pet, said body (8) or body portion (76?) having outer walls comprising outer wall portions, a lower end and a top end, said body (8) or body portion (76?) being arranged with an inwardly protruding void (v) to form an open space within said body (8) or body portion (76?), wherein said void (v) is formed by having a main portion of the total area exposed by said outer walls provided by wall portions having a limited wall thickness (t), and formed in a durable and washable polymeric material, preferably thermo formable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Nina Ottosson
  • Sow feeder
    Patent number: 8302563
    Abstract: A sow feeder includes a feed storage hopper comprising an upper funnel, an intermediate feed discharging tube, and a ring fixedly secured under the feed discharging tube; a feed transport mechanism comprising a cylindrical solid post having a diameter less than inner diameters of both the ring and the feed discharging tube, and a base having a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the ring; a hollow fastening mechanism releasably secured to the post passing through the ring and the feed discharging tube; and a feed collection container releasably secured to the feed discharging tube to dispose below the base. Feed material in the feed storage hopper is adapted to discharge into the feed collection through the feed discharging tube by lifting the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Emperor Penguin Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung Wei Chang
  • Pet bed cooling system and method
    Patent number: 8302562
    Abstract: A pet bed is configured to transfer heat from a pet to a support structure. The pet bed may include at least one pad defining an internal chamber, and a batting secured within the at least one pad. The batting allows water within the internal chamber to easily flow therethrough so that heat is transferred away from the pet through convection and conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Allied Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Reusche, Philip E. Chumbley
  • Feed support and bale ring mover for use inside a bale ring
    Patent number: 8297228
    Abstract: A feed support for use with a bale ring, a system for feeding animals, and systems and methods for moving bale rings are disclosed. The feed support has a generally vertical support member, an attachment plate, and a plurality of telescoping arm assemblies that are mounted on the attachment plate for rotation. As mounted, the telescoping arm assemblies can rotate between an operational position in which they are generally horizontal and radiate outwardly from the attachment plate and a stored position, in which they extend perpendicular to the attachment plate. The arm assemblies have primary sections and secondary sections that are mounted within the primary sections for sliding, telescoping movement. Ends of the secondary arm sections may carry engaging structure for attaching to the bale ring. The feed support may allow the bale ring to be picked up and moved with a tractor or other equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Corey Phelps
  • Water and nutrient delivery device
    Patent number: 8296996
    Abstract: A device for delivery of water and at least one further compound which comprises at least one first part containing at least one first compound; at least one second part substantially surrounding said first part, the or each second part being at least partially permeable to water and to the or at least one first compound; and at least one third part substantially surrounding said second part, the or each third part including a water absorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Michael S. Johnson
  • Assemblies for allowing pet access through a panel
    Patent number: 8286591
    Abstract: Assemblies that allow pet access through a panel and enclosures having multiple functions. More specifically the enclosures include pet doors that allow for selective entry, whereby one or more designated animals are allowed to enter into the enclosures while other non-designated animals can be easily excluded, without owner supervision. The enclosures herein are useful for multiple purposes, non-exclusively including the isolation of pets so they can eat, eliminate waste, whelp, queen, nurse their young, or sleep without being bothered by other non-designated pets. Preferred embodiments are directed to barriers positioned near the pet door to deter other non-designated pets from interfering with the designated pets entering into the enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: Casey Moffett-Chaney, Berdell Moffett-Chaney, Corey Bruesch
  • Hummingbird feeding system
    Patent number: 8286590
    Abstract: A hummingbird feeding station includes a first hollow body having a closed end and an openable end, the first hollow body for receiving and for containing a liquid for consumption, one or more openings extending through at least one wall of the first hollow body for enabling consumption of the liquid contained therein, and a second hollow body having a closed or a sealed end and an open end, the second hollow body for receiving and containing a liquid. The second hollow body is disposed between the first hollow body a point of origin of insects attempting to access the liquid in the first hollow body, the liquid contained in the second hollow body functioning as a barrier preventing the insects from accessing the liquid contained in the first hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Heidi Sundquist
  • Milking parlour and method for operating the same
    Patent number: 8281743
    Abstract: An apparatus for milking an animal provides a milking parlor (1) with a robotic manipulation device (25) and a milking stall (5) provided on a platform (3) moveable relative to the robotic manipulation device (25). An electric control system is adapted to vary the movement of the platform in response to the performance of the robotic manipulation device (25) in servicing the milking stall (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Thomas Axelsson, Uzi Birk
  • Illuminated hummingbird feeder
    Patent number: 8276541
    Abstract: An illuminated bird feeder, such as a hummingbird feeder, includes a housing portion for holding a quantity of liquid, a hanger portion associated with the housing portion for suspending the hummingbird feeder from a support, and a feeder portion with at least one artificial feeding flower fluidly connected to the housing portion. At least one light emitting member in the form of a fluorescent-doped optical fiber is associated with the at least one artificial feeding flower for sighting the hummingbird feeder in low light conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: TruGlo, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul LoRocco, Jeff Frey
  • Vine stand
    Patent number: 8272160
    Abstract: A vine supporting device for manipulating the growth, direction, and distribution of vines and other creeping plants is provided. The vine supporting device comprises a base having a top and a bottom. A support pole is mounted in a substantially vertical direction to the top of the base. A plurality of wire mount slots is formed in the top of the base and around a perimeter of the base. A plurality of wire frames are provided with each wire frame having a first end and a second end and the first end releasably securable in one of the wire mount slots. A top cap is positionable on top of the support poles with the second ends of the wire mounts positionable and releasably secured under the top cap. Upon positioning the vine upon the top of the base, the support pole and wire frames control and direct growth of the vine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Hamann
  • System and method for aquaculture of marine life forms
    Patent number: 8267045
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for aquaculturing marine life forms such as coral utilizing a rotating tray that exposes the marine life forms to variable water flow conditions during each revolution of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Karen R. Spartz
  • Cage net
    Patent number: 8261697
    Abstract: A cage net (3) includes a plurality of screen sheets (31) each having an upper section (311) and a tapered lower section (312). The upper sections (311) are interconnected side by side to form a surrounding wall (300), and the lower sections (312) are interconnected side by side to form a bottom wall (301). The lower sections (312) are folded inwardly from the respective upper sections (311) and have tapered ends extending to a substantially central part of the bottom wall (301). The case net (3) can be fabricated conveniently at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Gold-Joint Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Ping Hsu