Patents Examined by Monica Williams
  • Patent number: 9119380
    Abstract: A child's safety tether with an attachment pouch provides for quick release of the stored child safety tether in situations where the child care provider must temporarily relinquish contact with the child's hand while using both adult hands to negotiate a commercial transaction. The pouch has a top openable compartment for storing a cell phone or other personal electronic device, with other necessary documents such as credit cards and drivers license cards providing an adult's photographic identification and/or signature replica. The pouch also has a lower openable compartment for storing the child safety tether, which is released downward upon opening a quick release fastener for the downward oriented lower compartment for the tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventor: Richard E Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 9113600
    Abstract: An environment-friendly water-saving plant pot includes a first pot body and a second pot body. The first pot body has a receiving space having an upward opening, and a water outlet hole formed in the receiving space. A protruding unit that has several reinforced ribs extends upwards from the periphery of the water outlet hole. The second pot body is disposed in the receiving space of the first pot body, and has a second receiving space having an upward opening. A plurality of through holes are circularly formed inside the second receiving space, and the second pot body extends from the bottom to form a cover that has a cover opening, and the opening of the cover opening and the protruding unit of the first pot body are spaced to form a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Chung-Fen Wu
  • Patent number: 9113611
    Abstract: A portable insert fits within an existing animal release chute to reduce the volume of the pen and thereby provide more confinement for a smaller animal, thereby providing greater safety for the animal. The position of the portable insert may be adjusted with respect to the animal release chute, and mechanisms. Adjustable spacing members maintain the entire insert in fixed position within the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Brian Anthony Cain
  • Patent number: 9107378
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Patent number: 9101114
    Abstract: A dispensing animal interactive device formed of a perforate flexible pouch holding an animal attractant dispensed through perforations in the pouch during animal-induced deformation of the pouch during animal interaction. The pouch is formed of an endless sidewall of a biaxial woven or braided construction whose perforations change in size responsive to animal interaction. One preferred pouch holds catnip that is dispensed through perforations by engagement between the pouch sidewall and catnip from cat interaction that abrades catnip into smaller particles and that squeezes catnip out perforations in the sidewall with cat interaction causing the size of perforations in a region of the sidewall adjacent cat-induced deformation to increase dispensing catnip out of enlarged perforations. Ground catnip can express oils that can be dispensed in the form of a scent from the pouch and which increases the pungency of dispensed catnip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Lipscomb
  • Patent number: 9104226
    Abstract: A rocker button switch device of a dog leash includes: an outer shell, a line wheel, a button, a locking slider, an unlocking slider, and a translation slider, wherein the button is mounted in a corresponding groove on the outer shell, the button is a rocker button, and able to rotate about a rocker central axle, two ends of the button respectively contact the locking slider and the unlocking slider directly and slidingly, for driving the locking slider and the unlocking slider to move up and down, the translation slider includes a translation spring, the translation slider and the unlocking slider push each other by inclined plane sliding, and the translation slider and the locking slider are locked together via a buckle. The rocker button switch device of the dog leash is simple in movement, convenient to use, and stable in performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventor: Fuyou Shi
  • Patent number: 9097022
    Abstract: A green roof planter module includes a planter including a bottom wall, a plurality of sidewalls each including an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the bottom wall and the plurality of sidewalls cooperate with one another to form an interior space, and a biodegradable collar member extending upwardly from at least a select one of the biodegradable sidewalls, wherein at least a portion of the collar member is in-molded within the upper portion of at least one of the sidewalls, and wherein the collar member is adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Hortech, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 9095123
    Abstract: Disclosed is a paw pad protector harness that is a lightweight assembly of straps and buckles that is used to hold a variety of pet footwear securely in place for weather condition protection, and for protecting pet paws and legs from exposure to hazardous environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: WFK & Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Waldemar F. Kissel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9095118
    Abstract: A method of making animal litter from a tree nuts, such as from a walnut composition of shells, pelica and membrane, by grinding or crushing the walnut composition, removing all or almost all of the shells from the walnut composition by vibration and aspiration to form muller, adding any desired additives to the muller (e.g. fragrances, fillers and extenders, clumping agent such as guar bean, mold inhibitor agent such as calcium propionate, etc.), and pelletizing the muller by heating and compressing the muller through small apertures and cutting the muller exiting the apertures at desired lengths. The heating and compression of the muller results in pellets that have odor absorbing characteristics that outperform commercial animal litters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: ECO-SHELL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Blankinship, Raymond L. John, Helen I. Cantrell
  • Patent number: 9095097
    Abstract: A modular planting system for roof applications includes a plurality of green roof planter modules each comprising a planter including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, and a biodegradable insert including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extend above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein the plurality of sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Hortech, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 9089115
    Abstract: An aquarium system having a tank supported by a base, the base having a drawer that that retains the operational components of the filtration system. An overflow chute is positioned within the tank, the chute having an open top such that water from the tank may flow into the chute and into the drawer. The drawer has a receiving compartment located beneath the chute and a return compartment separated from the receiving compartment by a filter such that water is drawn through the filter and into the return compartment by a pump. The pump then delivers the filtered water from the return compartment into the tank through a conduit passing up through the chute. The filtration system is fully operational with the drawer closed or partially open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Nick Lari
  • Patent number: 9078417
    Abstract: A pet waste and personal items pouch system allowing pet owners to take their pet for a walk and carry all necessary pet accessories, including empty waste bags, and personal items in a hands-free manner while also being able to place solid pet waste in a waste bag and carry it in a quick release compartment until the pet owner is able to conveniently dispose of the waste without touching the waste bag twice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventors: Phill Lees, Kyle Lees
  • Patent number: 9078451
    Abstract: An animal euthanization assembly provides a method for humanely anesthetizing and euthanizing animals using small but effective single doses of agents dispersed from a single one use container. The assembly includes a box having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall defining an interior space of the box. A lid selectively couples to the box wherein the interior space is enclosed. A valve is coupled to the box. A canister has a dispensing nozzle selectively engageable to the valve wherein contents of the canister are dispensed into the interior space of the box when the dispensing nozzle is engaged to the valve. An anesthetizing agent and a euthanizing agent are dispensed from the canister when the dispensing nozzle is engaged to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Stevens, David Newman
  • Patent number: 9060462
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the selection and removal of seeds from containers and placement of the seeds on a seed tape. The systems include a seed extraction assembly and a seed tape assembly. The seed extraction assembly is configured to extract individual seeds from a tray and place the seeds within an accumulator. The accumulator is disposed in the extraction assembly and is rotatable within the assembly. The seed tape assembly is configured to place the seed disposed in the accumulator onto the seed tape. The method includes the steps of using the seed extraction assembly to extract seeds from the tray and place them within the accumulator. The seed tape assembly is then used to place the seed disposed in the accumulator onto the seed tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Travis Frey, Marcus McNabnay, Brian Jacob Forinash, Charles Larry Badino
  • Patent number: 9055737
    Abstract: A life like three-dimensional version of a predatory animal, used to scare off nuisance animals, is disclosed. A three-dimensional animal unit is mounted to a mounting unit which allows for installation in any type of pervious or non-pervious surface. A joint mounting system penetrates through a body cavity of the animal unit which allows for the animal unit to move with minimal air breezes, mimicking real life movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Scare Dogs, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Matzel, Karen Sue Matzel
  • Patent number: 9049843
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a robotic attacher comprises a main arm, a supplemental arm coupled to the main arm, and a plurality of actuators operable to move the main arm and supplemental arm in response to signals from a controller. The actuators comprise first, second, and third actuators operable to move the main arm in x-, y-, and z-directions, respectively. The actuators further comprise fourth and fifth actuators operable to pivot a gripping portion of the supplemental arm in a first z-direction and a second z-direction, respectively, with the second z-direction being opposite the first z-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Patent number: 9051070
    Abstract: A preformed decorative wrapper for covering a flower pot and methods of production and use thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Wanda M. Weder & William F. Straeter
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 9043988
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a milking box comprises a storage area comprising a retractable hose, a hose lift belt, a cup holder base, a cup holder, and a cup holder bracket. The retractable hose couples to a cup and suspends the cup in the storage area. The hose lift belt couples to the retractable hose and is operable to retract the retractable hose. The cup holder base defines an aperture through which the retractable hose is positioned. The cup holder comprises a rimmed structure adapted to hold an attachment end of the cup. The cup holder is coupled to the cup holder bracket. The cup holder bracket is operable to open and close such that when closed, the rimmed structure of the cup holder aligns with the attachment end of the cup that is suspended from the retractable hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Patent number: 9038574
    Abstract: A mammalian quadruped walking system for providing visibility in dimly lit conditions features a body harness having a first side top shoulder strap, a second side top shoulder strap, a bottom strap, an upper body strap, a lower body strap, and a breast shield. The breast shield features a powerful bicycle's strength planar reflector that is only red or blue. The system features a harness extension having an extension first end located at an intersection of a first side top shoulder strap second end, a second side top shoulder strap second end and an upper body strap midpoint. A powerful bicycle's strength spherical red bead reflector is located adjacent to a spherical blue bead reflector close to a harness extension second end. The system features an external light source emitting light in a horizontal beam between 22 inches and 54 inches from a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Isabelle Brewton
  • Patent number: 9032911
    Abstract: A dog leash assembly includes (1) an elongated handle portion, (2) a first leash adapter coupled to the first end of the handle portion and having a first leash connector, and (3) a second leash adapter coupled to the second end of the elongated handle portion and a second leash connector, the second leash connector being removably couplable to the first leash connector. A first collar coupling member has a first end that is removably couplable to the first leash connector and/or the second leash connector a second end with a first collar connector that is removably couplable to a dog collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventors: Franklin G. Hill, Michelle G. Hill