Patents Examined by Monica L Perry
  • Patent number: 11819009
    Abstract: An automatic egg turner for an incubator includes an egg turning assembly mounted on an incubator base, the egg turning assembly includes an egg troughs, a connecting plate and an egg turning motor, the egg troughs is configured for holding several eggs and being respectively overlapped with the incubator base and the connecting plate, the connecting plate is movably connected into the incubator base, and the egg turning motor is mounted on a bottom of the incubator base and is configured for driving the connecting plate to slide left and right in the incubator base so as to drive the egg troughs to swing left and right in the incubator base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: Daoli Wang
  • Patent number: 11818986
    Abstract: A growing system includes a tub having a lid attached thereto, the tub having an interior area; a tubing system secured within the interior area of the tub; a fluid reservoir housing a fluid pump, the fluid pump in fluid communication with the tubing system; a water tank positioned within the interior area of the tub and having a water level sensor therein; one or more lights configured to emit light into the interior area; a heat pump to emit heat into the interior area; a thermocouple and hygrometer to measure temperature and humidity within the interior area of the tub; and a controller having one or more controls to receive user commands to operate the fluid pump, the one or more lights, and the heat pump; the controller operates to control a microclimate within the interior area of the tub based on user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: Bruce Sprowl
  • Patent number: 11812685
    Abstract: A package 10 comprises a main body 12 for containing a seed lubricant; and a chamber 24 for retaining microorganisms in a viable state, wherein the main body 12 and the chamber 24 are separated by a disruptable dividing member 32, and further comprising a mechanism for disrupting the dividing member 32 such that the seed lubricant and the microorganisms may be blended just prior to deployment on a seed planter and wherein the main body 12, the chamber 24 and the disrupting member form an integral package suitable for providing the blend of seed lubricant and viable microorganisms to seeds in a seed planter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Meristem Crop Performance Group, LLC
    Inventor: Mitchell Eviston
  • Patent number: 11812697
    Abstract: The present concept is a plant trimming assembly for trimming materials from plants and includes a frame, and a cylindrical slotted drum rotationally mounted to the frame along a longitudinal axis. The slotted drum includes an exterior surface and a longitudinally oriented internal passageway for receiving plant material there through. It further includes a longitudinally oriented cutting assembly retainer which is also rotationally mounted to the frame about the longitudinal axis such that it rotates concentrically around the outside of the exterior surface and along the length of the slotted drum. A longitudinally oriented blade is mounted to a cutting assembly which in turn is mounted to the cutting assembly retainer. The cutting assembly rotates in unison with the retainer around the outside of the exterior surface of the slotted drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILL AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING SOLUTIONS INC
    Inventor: Ali Torabi
  • Patent number: 11805751
    Abstract: An inflatable crate assembly includes a base panel, a rear panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a top panel, where: the base panel, the rear panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the top panel are all formed from a single piece of drop stitch material; an inner wall of the drop stitch material forms at least a portion of an interior surface of the inflatable crate assembly; and an outer wall of the drop stitch material forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the inflatable crate assembly; and the inflatable crate also includes a drop stitch corner formed between each of the rear panel and the base panel, the first side panel and the base panel, the top panel and the first side panel, and the second side panel and the top panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Diggs Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Hoge, Isaac Haverlick, Zel Alexander Crampton, Courtney Armstrong, Lilly Althauser-Benson, Carlee Green-Goff, Adriana Morante, Cody Moore, Mark Prommel, Brooke Williams
  • Patent number: 11805756
    Abstract: An apparatus, systems, and methods of providing enrichment to poultry during raising or maintaining of the poultry. One or more light sources project beams to generate laser spots at and around the poultry. A control regimen moves the light spots relative the poultry in generally random fashion during timed sessions for each given time period (e.g. each day). The spot movement is designed to promote benefits to poultry and producer in correlation to experimental data related to animal welfare, health, and commercial value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Ann Kraayenbrink, Anna Butters-Johnson, Derek Kraayenbrink
  • Patent number: 11800841
    Abstract: A gardening appliance includes a liner positioned within a cabinet and defining a grow chamber, a grow tower rotatably mounted within the liner and defining a root chamber, a hydration system comprising a water supply tank for storing water, a supply conduit fluidly coupling the water supply tank to a discharge nozzle, a supply pump for selectively urging the water through the discharge nozzle and a water level sensor operably coupled to the water supply tank. A controller obtains a water level of the water in the water supply tank using the water level sensor, determines a conservative water supply schedule based at least in part on the water level, and operates the hydration system to provide the water in accordance with the conservative water supply schedule, the conservative water supply schedule providing the water at a slower average hydration rate relative to the standard water supply schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Wantland, Jordan Andrew Waymeyer, Kira Lynn Hartlage
  • Patent number: 11793123
    Abstract: A pot stand is provided that is capable of being simply used, receiving drained water without causing water leakage, reducing manufacturing cost and enables easy disposition of the drained water. The pot stand includes a main body, a water reservoir and a load receiving part. The main body includes an upper surface part that has a drain hole, a side surface part that supports the upper surface part and has a space opened upwardly, and a bottom surface part that is connected to the side surface part. The pot stand further includes an opening that is formed in a part of the side surface part and ribs that are provided in an inner side of the main body. The water reservoir is slidably movable through the opening to be taken in or out from the space. The load receiving part is a standing wall-like shaped and extends from the bottom surface part in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: COTTE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daishi Tsuneoka
  • Patent number: 11793157
    Abstract: A floor assembly for livestock handling equipment features a pair frame members lying in a longitudinal direction and spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction transverse to said longitudinal direction, and at least one support tray connected to the frame members and spanning therebetween in the lateral direction. At least one mat is supported atop the support tray(s). The mat is made of rubber or other resilient material for improved footing and comfort of the livestock. The topside of each mat is flush with a topside of the frame members to provide an even floor surface across the full area floor area. The mat(s) are removable for cleaning, and open gaps around the support tray(s) are provided for drainage. Non-welded attachment enables convenient removal and replacement of the support trays in the event of rust or other damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Northquip Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Malcolm Firth
  • Patent number: 11793156
    Abstract: A method for preparing an ammonia abatement additive for poultry litter that is formulated to assure activation in an interior environment having various relative humidity conditions. The method includes obtaining a blended litter amendment composition that, based on weight, is about 40% deliquescent salt and about 60% aluminum sulfate, relative to a total weight of the two components. The composition can be made by the user or received, already blended, from a third party. To this blended composition that has been obtained, additional deliquescent salt is added in an amount such that the total amount of deliquescent salt is effective to activate the alum-containing ammonia abatement additive at the targeted low relative humidity condition in the interior of a poultry house. The composition is a sub-component of the ammonia abatement additive which may or may not contain additional compounds. The specified relative proportions (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Chemtrade Chemicals US LLC
    Inventor: Rex A. Johns
  • Patent number: 11793126
    Abstract: A synthetic soil substrate system has a plurality of synthetic soil substrate layers that are individually designed to promote plant growth as the roots grow into the layer and as a function of the growth stage. The synthetic soil substrate layers may be planar or may be concentrically arranged with a first synthetic soil substrate ring layer being configured inside of a second synthetic soil substrate ring layer. A synthetic soil substrate has pores that are configured for plant growth and retention and/or deliver of water and growth additives. The average pore size of a first synthetic soil substrate layer may be substantially different from the average pore size of an adjacent synthetic soil substrate layer. Also, the pore structure or shape of the pores may be different between synthetic soil substrate layers, The synthetic soil substrate may have an integral growth additive retained in the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Jay Daniel Sexton
  • Patent number: 11793155
    Abstract: A cat litter box system includes a sifter pan having a sifter pan floor with a plurality of thru holes therethrough. Sifter pan sidewalls surround and extend upwards from a perimeter of the sifter pan floor. A sifter pan rim is disposed on upper distal ends of the sifter pan sidewalls. The sifter pan rim extends laterally from the sifter pan sidewalls. A shield section includes shield section sidewalls having a lower rim portion configured to removably mount on an upper surface of the sifter pan rim. A front entryway is disposed in the shield section sidewalls. A plurality of removable sliding panels are stackable on top of one another within the front entryway. The sliding panels form an overspray barrier within the front entryway. The overspray barrier has an adjustable height based on the number of sliding panels stacked within the front entryway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Kathy Rusch, Vincent Rusch
  • Patent number: 11785880
    Abstract: A seed germination medium includes a roll of matted laminate. The laminate includes at least one biodegradable and water-soluble paper binding layer. Additionally, seeds are disposed on the binding layer, and fertilizer dispersed therein. Furthermore, transmitters may be disposed across the laminate which are in wireless communication with a mobile device having a software application. the transmitter may also include sensors which record information regarding the soil environment of the seed germination medium and transmit that data to the mobile device. As a result, a user is notified of the health of the environment for which the seed germination strip was planted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventors: Jodi Davis, Terry Ritteger
  • Patent number: 11785917
    Abstract: A feeder includes a housing, an ejection structure, and a driving module. The housing includes a discharge channel. The discharge channel has an accommodating space and a discharge port communicated with each other. The ejection structure includes an ejection blade. The ejection blade is rotatably disposed in the accommodating space. The driving module is configured to rotate the ejection structure, so that the ejection blade ejects the feed located in the accommodating space away from the discharge port. The driving module includes a position-returning member configured to maintain the ejection structure in a first rotational orientation relative to the housing. The driving module is further configured to rotate the ejection structure relative to the housing to exceed a second rotational orientation and then release the ejection structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pei-Sheng Tsai, Wen-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 11778959
    Abstract: The present invention is a shade apparatus with central hub an shade components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: Michelle Callahan
  • Patent number: 11778955
    Abstract: An automated outdoor modular vertical plant cultivation system forming a vertical structure is provided. The system includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf having a web and flanges; two posts, each post having a web and flanges. Each shelf of the plurality of shelves is mounted between the two posts with incremental spacing between each adjacent shelf along a vertical length of the two posts. The web of each shelf includes a plurality of openings for retaining planter vessels. The flanges of each shelf retain an embedded structural member. The system includes a fluid circulatory system including shelf irrigation piping extending longitudinally above the web of each shelf; and power or power and data and fluid members for the system distributed from vertical risers located in proximity to the web of the posts, wherein the flanges of the shelves have provisions to retain the fluid circulatory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: URBAN PLANTER, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel S. Spiro
  • Patent number: 11778957
    Abstract: An apparatus for cultivating plants may include a cabinet having an interior space, a door to open or close the interior space, at least one bed provided in the interior space and used to cultivate the plants, at least one light assembly to irradiate the at least one bed with light for photosynthesis, a water tank to store water to be supplied to the at least one bed, and a machine compartment provided at a lower portion of the cabinet, and separated from the interior space to communicate with an ambient surrounding, a compressor and a condenser being provided in the machine room to adjust a temperature of the interior space. The water tank may be provided inside the interior space spaced apart from the machine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yongki Jung, Soobeom Lee
  • Patent number: 11771066
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of raising fish in a recirculated aquaculture system which includes a fish holding unit in fluid communication with a water supply, the fish holding unit containing a volume of water defining a water depth, and having an osmotic concentration, an oxygen concentration, a temperature, and a pH. The method includes providing a flow of non-recirculated water to the water supply, the non-recirculated water being different from the water in the fish holding unit with respect to the osmotic concentration, the oxygen concentration, the CO2 concentration, the N2 concentration, the NH4+ concentration, the temperature and/or the pH, providing feed pellets, adding the feed pellets to the non-recirculated water and hydraulically transporting the feed pellets to the fish holding unit. The invention also relates to a RAS facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: GRAINTEC A/S
    Inventor: Markus Wied Dethlefsen
  • Patent number: 11771016
    Abstract: A system for growing plants and monitoring the growth of plants, comprising a gardening system and a server. The gardening system comprises a frame that defines a housing for receiving a tray of plants. The gardening system also has a lighting subsystem and watering subsystem to provide light and water to the plants. Sensors and cameras of the gardening system may capture data corresponding to the conditions of the gardening system and health of the plant. Based on the captured data, the server may use machine learning to determine optimal plant growing thresholds, and may send a control command to a controller of the gardening system to change one or more conditions of the gardening system. The plants grown by the system may be nutritious, and the bioavailability of the nutrients of the plants may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Aamar Khwaja, James Henderson, Peter Cottreau, Matthew Bailey
  • Patent number: 11771027
    Abstract: A gardening appliance includes a grow tower rotatably mounted within a liner and defining a root chamber. A mixing tank defines a water inlet, a nutrient inlet, and a mixture outlet. An overflow protection system is operably coupled to the mixing tank and includes a wastewater reservoir, an overflow port fluidly coupled to the mixing tank, an overflow conduit providing fluid communication between the overflow port and the wastewater reservoir, and a one-way overflow valve fluidly coupled to the overflow conduit to prevent liquid flow back into the mixing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Danister Abeygunawardana, Jianwu Li, Eric Meyerholtz, Brent Alden Junge, Venkata Ratna Ganesh Kallakuri, Matthew R. Hunter