Patents Examined by Jeffrey R Larsen
  • Patent number: 11388867
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for managing, cultivating, producing, preparing and distributing agricultural products. Apparatus designed to improve agricultural yield and crop performance are also disclosed. According to one embodiment, the apparatus are individually coded or tagged for remotely configuring, monitoring and modifying one or more parameters associated with each apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Agriburbia, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew C. Redmond
  • Patent number: 11369095
    Abstract: The method for rearing an animal according to the present invention includes: grasping a tide-generating force; and feeding, to the animal, foods varying in fat ingredient content according to the variation level of the tide-generating force. In addition, the apparatus for rearing an animal according to the present invention is provided with a food feeding means for feeding, to the animal, foods varying in fat ingredient content according to the variation level of a tide-generating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Asako Sugimura
  • Patent number: 11357209
    Abstract: A base platform with a plurality of platform legs mounted to said base platform for raising said base platform. A bedding tray is carried by said base platform with a plurality of tray legs mounted to said bedding tray raising said bedding tray above said base platform to define an air channel between said base platform and said bedding tray. A blower unit is carried by said base platform with an air duct disposed on a perimeter of said base platform receiving air from said blower unit. An air suction gap is disposed between said air duct and said bedding tray with at least one air discharge port disposed in said air duct directing air into said air channel underneath said bedding tray and drawing air downward through said air suction gap around said bedding tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Henry Bennie Marshall, III
  • Patent number: 11317612
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a fishing lure is provided that includes a body having an opening to receive a fish and at least one hook connected to the body. The body includes capture portions having a spaced apart, open configuration that permits fish to be positioned in the opening of the body and a closer, closed configuration wherein the capture portions capture the fish in the opening of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Olson IP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Carl Olson, Erik Olson
  • Patent number: 11304399
    Abstract: A teat cleaning cup (130) for cleaning a teat (120) includes a teat cleaner (300) having an inner body (270) forming a central cavity (280) for enclosing the teat (120), the inner body (270) including an inner surface (271), an outer surface (272), and a set of apertures (275) extending from the outer surface (272) to the inner surface (271); an exterior part (220) enclosing the inner body (270); a set of channels (291, 292), which set of channels (291, 292) connects to the set of apertures (275); a lower part (230) removably attached to the teat cleaner (300), which lower part (230) includes at least one cleaning liquid valve (240, 260), and a drain (250); and a seal (235) configured to distribute liquid from the cleaning liquid valve (240, 260) into the set of channels (291, 292).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Frank Adriansson, Nils-Erik Holmertz
  • Patent number: 11278020
    Abstract: An electronic rodent trap and monitoring method is provided. Each trap has at least one entrance, and preferably two entrances in opposed relationship to create a longitudinal tunnel, with a pair of lower plates extending longitudinally and oriented in spaced substantially parallel relationship, and a triggering element, such as a third plate, positioned above the lower plates, and preferably adjacent the ceiling of the trap on a center baffle that also shields a bait cup. The trap is activated when the rodent, with its left and right feet on the parallel lower plates, which are preferably raised above the floor, contacts the triggering element on the center baffle. The trap is preferably modular in design with an electronics module and a tunnel module removably secured within and protected by an outer housing. The trap also has improved features for more accurate remote monitoring of rodent dispatch and kill verification including long range monitoring capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Kletzli, Mark Ebner, Cory Blair, Peter Koziar, Jr., Thomas J. Daly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11259507
    Abstract: A roof cover for a fish farm, in which solar cells may be arranged on the roof cover to collect solar energy, and where the roof cover is resistant to weather conditions, and where the roof cover provides a controlled environment for fish farming by protecting it from wind and weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Unitech Offshore AS
    Inventors: Bernt Henrik Hellesøe, Gunnar William Birkeland, Leiv Gunnar Wanvik, Christine Ledergerber Hinderling, Issam Kabbani
  • Patent number: 11259501
    Abstract: A vibratory detector for detecting a vibratory signal from one or more feeders. A processor is in communication with the vibratory detector and configured for determining from at least one characteristic of the vibratory signal a possible action event, and for determining from a pattern of possible action events a likely action event. A warning device is in communication with the processor for providing an output in response to the likely action event. In an embodiment, the at least one characteristic of the vibratory signal can comprise the frequency or magnitude of the vibratory signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SWINETECH, INC.
    Inventors: Abraham Espinoza, Matthew Rooda, John Rourke
  • Patent number: 11259508
    Abstract: A fish farm with a float ring, and a net fixed to the float ring. The float is flexible and is designed with an exterior walkway and interior room for personnel. At least one door or hatch provides access between the exterior walkway and the interior room for personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Unitech Offshore AS
    Inventors: Bernt Henrik Hellesøe, Gunnar William Birkeland, Leiv Gunnar Wanvik
  • Patent number: 11246283
    Abstract: A method and teat cleaner for producing, by injection moulding, a teat cleaner of a teat cleaning cup that includes an inner body forming a central cavity for enclosing a teat, an exterior part, and channels therebetween for injection moulding the inner body in a first tool having a core, sliders that each include a protrusion for forming an aperture in the inner body, and channel walls, and an outer casting mould; separating the inner body from the first tool; placing the inner body in a second tool that includes a casting mould and rods; inserting the rods for forming the channels; fixating the rods; and injection moulding the exterior part in the second tool; separating the second tool from the fused teat cleaner; and removing the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Frank Adriansson
  • Patent number: 11240969
    Abstract: A grafting apparatus includes plate-shaped grafting members each provided with, on a main surface on one side in a thickness direction thereof, at least one plant holder to hold a plant for grafting. The grafting apparatus includes a cutter and a joiner. The cutter is configured to cut a stem of the plant for grafting that is held by the at least one plant holder of each of the grafting members. The joiner is configured to mutually join at least parts of the grafting members, while the at least one plant holder holds a part of the plant for grafting that has been cut by the cutter, to thereby mutually join parts of the plants for grafting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michitaka Notaguchi, Kenji Tachibana, Ryusei Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11241001
    Abstract: A device for macerating bait, making chum, or both is provided. The device has a main housing having a top openable end and a closed bottom openable end; a removable lid attachable to the top openable end, wherein the removable lid comprises at least a fluid flow hole configured to, when placed in a fluid and towed behind the vessel, port the fluid to flow through the housing through bottom openable end and through the top openable end; a push rod disposed through the removable lid; a concentric cutting member attached to the push rod at a lower end of the push rod, wherein the concentric cutting member comprises a series of blades that are intersecting and have cutting edges on a top and bottom of the blades. A method of macerating bait is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventor: Ronald F. Smelt
  • Patent number: 11240977
    Abstract: A photobioreactor device for growing photosynthetic organisms, organisms that feed on photosynthetic organisms and hydroponics is disclosed. The device may include a lighting system integrated around the circumference of the device. In embodiments, a cap configured to seal the container has ports configured to permit passage of fluid out of or into a container without removing the cap. In some embodiments, organisms are grown in a disposable bag secured between the cap and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventor: Elliott A. Gruskin
  • Patent number: 11219204
    Abstract: An electronic rodent trap and monitoring method is provided. Each trap has at least one entrance, and preferably two entrances in opposed relationship to create a longitudinal tunnel, with a pair of lower plates extending longitudinally and oriented in spaced substantially parallel relationship, and a triggering element, such as a third plate, positioned above the lower plates, and preferably adjacent the ceiling of the trap on a center baffle that also shields a bait cup. The trap is activated when the rodent, with its left and right feet on the parallel lower plates, which are preferably raised above the floor, contacts the triggering element on the center baffle. The trap is preferably modular in design with an electronics module and a tunnel module removably secured within and protected by an outer housing. The trap also has improved features for more accurate remote monitoring of rodent dispatch and kill verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: WoodStream Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Kletzli, Mark Ebner, Cory Blair, Peter Koziar, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11206813
    Abstract: Provided is a nose work mat. The nose walk mat includes a mat main body having a certain area, a plurality of play members coupled to an upper surface of the mat main body and hiding a feed of a dog or inducing physical activity of a dog, a sound generating part disposed under the plurality of play members and generating sound when a dog touches a first location of the mat main body, a light generating part disposed under the plurality of play members and emitting light when a dog touches a second location of the mat main body, a smell generating part disposed under the plurality of play members and generating a smell, and a control box disposed outside the mat main body, accommodating a battery therein and supplying power to the sound generating part, the light generating part and the smell generating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Seong Hun Jeong
  • Patent number: 11197430
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container in which one or more plants can be held. The invention relates in particular to a container in which plants and/or seeds are able to grow. The invention also relates to a method for growing plants. According to the invention, the container comprises a container base having a growth medium in which one or more plants can be grown, a container lid that is coupled to the container base, and a cutting member for cutting through the one or more plants. According to the invention, the cutting member can be actuated prior to or during an action of at least substantially breaking the coupling between the container lid and the container base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: RIJK ZWAAN ZAADTEELT EN ZAADHANDEL B.V.
    Inventor: Kalin Kong
  • Patent number: 11185020
    Abstract: A hand cropping tool includes arm members that have handle portions and jaw portions. The jaw portions include curved surfaces that are at least partially covered by deformable materials. The hand cropping tool is configured to be moved from an open configuration in which the first and second jaw members are spaced apart from one another and a closed configuration in which at least a portion of the first jaw member is in contact with at least a portion of the second jaw member. In the closed configuration, the first and second deformable materials collectively define at least one first plant-receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Henry, Marie Henry
  • Patent number: 11166420
    Abstract: A hydroponic growth system comprises grow tubes and a misting assembly. Each of the grow tubes, of a generally hollow cylindrical configuration, are mounted vertically on a support assembly and comprise openings configured on an outer surface of the grow tube for receiving receptacles containing plants. Each of the grow tubes comprise a top vent and a bottom vent. The misting assembly comprises spray tubes inserted into a middle section of the grow tubes to distribute and spray a nutrient solution into an inner surface of each of the grow tubes. The nutrient solution is absorbed by roots of the one or more plants extending into the inner surface of the grow tubes. Unused nutrient solution is drained into a sump positioned beneath the grow tubes via the bottom vents and recirculated within the misting assembly for spraying the nutrient solution to grow the plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Patrick Allan Diehl
  • Patent number: 11140872
    Abstract: Disclosed modular animal collar systems include a D ring exoskeleton system, a breakaway latch tongue system and other systems. Disclosed collars include auto release systems to ensure that collars do not choke or otherwise injure a pet. Collars include sophisticated electronics to commutate with a pet owner's smart phone but also include means of communication not requiring the use of a smart phone. Collars may include a base collar containing a micro controller and other computer related components. Surrounding modular components may contain additional equipment and may be added as needed by a pet owner. Disclosed collar functions are executed by the disclosed collars and facilitate the retrieval, care and training of a pet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: John Kennedy, Lisa Tamayo
  • Patent number: 11136539
    Abstract: Proposed are a functional improvement evaluation apparatus and a nerve cell culture apparatus of model animals capable of performing feedback control, even to mammalian model animals, based on biosignals in the same manner has humans based on a relatively simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: CYBERDYNE Inc., University of Tsukuba
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Sankai