Patents by Inventor Bill L. Miller

Bill L. Miller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200236972
    Abstract: A method of making a gel-type livestock feed includes initially forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components, water, alginate, and a calcium component insoluble in water or a sequestrate to inhibit the calcium component from reacting with the alginate. Once the feed mixture is formed, the calcium component is solubilized or the sequestrates affecting the reactivity between the alginate and the calcium component is removed such that a gel feed is formed that includes a gel matrix containing the feed nutrient components. The gel feed may then be fed to the livestock. In another aspect of the present invention, piglets are weaned by feeding the gel feed for at least seven days directly after weaning. The gel feed may also include protein derived from blood with or without egg protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Kent Lanter, Brenda de Rodas, Bill L. Miller, Gary E. Fitzner
  • Patent number: 10667544
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes bee feed products formulated to increase consumption and methods of feeding such products to bees. Feeding methods involve feeding a bee feed composition on an ad libitum basis to bees where the composition contains an amount of a flavor agent that results in increased consumption. The flavor agent may be hydrated with a liquid to form a solution in some examples. The flavor agent may also be mixed directly with the bee feed composition high in protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC
    Inventors: Grace Kunkel, Kent Lanter, James Redhage, Bill L. Miller
  • Patent number: 10653167
    Abstract: A method of making a gel-type livestock feed includes initially forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components, water, alginate, and a calcium component insoluble in water or a sequestrate to inhibit the calcium component from reacting with the alginate. Once the feed mixture is formed, the calcium component is solubilized or the sequestrates affecting the reactivity between the alginate and the calcium component is removed such that a gel feed is formed that includes a gel matrix containing the feed nutrient components. The gel feed may then be fed to the livestock. In another aspect of the present invention, piglets are weaned by feeding the gel feed for at least seven days directly after weaning. The gel feed may also include protein derived from blood with or without egg protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Purina Mills LLC
    Inventors: Kent Lanter, Brenda de Rodas, Bill L. Miller, Gary E. Fitzner
  • Patent number: 10653165
    Abstract: Young animals such as calves may be fed milk replacers containing soy having been preserved through treatment with acid-producing bacteria that reduces a pH of the milk replacer through microbial digestion of sugars present in soy to thereby produce a fermented milk replacer. The milk replacer is edible for at least 48 hours and its digestibility in the young animals is increased due to the microbial digestion of sugars in the soy that are otherwise indigestible in the gut of the young animals. The fermented milk replacers may be ingested by young animals in group settings. In addition, the milk replacers containing soy may be treated with enzymes adapted to hydrolyze complex indigestible carbohydrates within the milk replacer, potassium sorbate or both. Feeding systems incorporating these fermented milk replacers may result in increased gain and increased dry matter intake without negatively affecting animal health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Robert C. Musser
  • Publication number: 20200138735
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Jill A. Davidson, Cindie M. Luhman
  • Patent number: 10588868
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Jill A. Davidson, Cindie M. Luhman
  • Publication number: 20190357572
    Abstract: A method of improving the health of a first group of young monogastric mammals, the first group of young monogastric mammals nursing from a first lactating monogastric mammal during a pre-weaning period, the method including feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of an animal feed during the pre-weaning period, and feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of sugar alcohol during the pre-weaning period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Brenda de Rodas, Cindie M. Luhman, Bill L. Miller, Paul A. Porter
  • Patent number: 10477881
    Abstract: A method of feeding a monogastric mammal, the method including feeding the monogastric mammal a milk replacer during a feeding period and feeding the monogastric mammal a psyllium composition during the feeding period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Edwin L. Stephas
  • Publication number: 20190336522
    Abstract: Methods of feeding livestock animals involve feeding the livestock animals a milk replacer comprising percarbonate. The milk replacer has a pH of about 5.8 and the concentration of percarbonate is effective to reduce bacterial growth within the milk replacer product. The milk replacer can also include at least one added organic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Thomas Earleywine, Robert C. Musser, Samantha Steelman
  • Patent number: 10455851
    Abstract: A system for the protection against degradation during pelleting of one or more physiologically or pharmacologically active substances, comprising compositions in the form of micro particles or granules, particularly for use in the zootechnical and/or veterinary field. The micro particles include a core which contains one or more substances having a pharmacological action, food supplements or diagnostic media, said one or more substances being characterized by the presence, within their chemical structure, of a basic functional group, specifically including an amine functional group. The core comprises also one or more carboxylic acids and/or their salts and eventually one or more excipients. Said core is coated by an outer layer of fats or waxes, and preferably by a mixture of glyceride of fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC
    Inventors: Sarah Schuling, Jill Davidson, Bill L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190320686
    Abstract: A method of making a gel-type livestock feed includes initially forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components, water, alginate, and a calcium component insoluble in water or a sequestrate to inhibit the calcium component from reacting with the alginate. Once the feed mixture is formed, the calcium component is solubilized or the sequestrates affecting the reactivity between the alginate and the calcium component is removed such that a gel feed is formed that includes a gel matrix containing the feed nutrient components. The gel feed may then be fed to the livestock. In another aspect of the present invention, piglets are weaned by feeding the gel feed for at least seven days directly after weaning. The gel feed may also include protein derived from blood with or without egg protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Kent Lanter, Brenda de Rodas, Bill L. Miller, Gary E. Fitzner
  • Publication number: 20190289878
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes animal feed products formulated to improve animal performance, and methods of feeding such products to the animals. Feeding methods involve providing young livestock animals with a milk replacer that includes a direct-fed microbial composition. Feeding the young livestock animals according to this approach may improve animal performance, which may include improvements in total weight gain, feed efficiency and/or starter feed intake. The direct-fed microbial composition may include Bacillus subtilis PB6, about 4.3×109 to about 12.9×109 CFUs of which may be provided daily on a per-animal basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Samantha Steelman, Daniel Grum, James D. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 10412975
    Abstract: A method of improving the health of a first group of young monogastric mammals, the first group of young monogastric mammals nursing from a first lactating monogastric mammal during a pre-weaning period, the method including feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of an animal feed during the pre-weaning period, and feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of sugar alcohol during the pre-weaning period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC
    Inventors: Brenda de Rodas, Cindie M. Luhman, Bill L. Miller, Paul A. Porter
  • Patent number: 10383346
    Abstract: A method of making a gel-type livestock feed includes initially forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components, water, alginate, and a calcium component insoluble in water or a sequestrate to inhibit the calcium component from reacting with the alginate. Once the feed mixture is formed, the calcium component is solubilized or the sequestrates affecting the reactivity between the alginate and the calcium component is removed such that a gel feed is formed that includes a gel matrix containing the feed nutrient components. The gel feed may then be fed to the livestock. In another aspect of the present invention, piglets are weaned by feeding the gel feed for at least seven days directly after weaning. The gel feed may also include protein derived from blood with or without egg protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Purina Mills, LLC
    Inventors: Kent Lanter, Brenda de Rodas, Bill L. Miller, Gary E. Fitzner
  • Publication number: 20190224138
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Jill A. Davidson, Cindie M. Luhman
  • Publication number: 20190216058
    Abstract: Consumable feed products and vegetation are delivered to animals using a single container in which the container holds the feed product and is used to deliver the feed and which includes ungerminated seeds embedded in the container body. The seeds are caused to germinate and produce vegetation from the container body, and the germinated seeds and/or vegetation is fed to the animal. Multiple containers may be used simultaneously so that while the consumable feed product from one container is used to feed an animal, another container may be used to grow vegetation or deliver vegetation to the animal. Confined birds such as poultry and chicks may benefit from ingesting feed and vegetation produced from such containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Michael S. Burr, Gordon Ballam, Jodi Joy Eineichner Moore, Mikel Roeder, Erin Venable
  • Publication number: 20190166884
    Abstract: Isoflavone-supplemented dry feed fed to young poultry animals provides total levels of isoflavones in the feed at about 1640 mg/kg feed to about 3890 mg/kg feed, and/or provides an additional about 750 mg/kg feed to about 3000 mg/kg feed. In response to ingesting the isoflavone-supplemented feed, the young poultry animal experiences improved performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, James D. Caldwell
  • Publication number: 20190150480
    Abstract: A method of making a gel-type livestock feed includes initially forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components, water, alginate, and a calcium component insoluble in water or a sequestrate to inhibit the calcium component from reacting with the alginate. Once the feed mixture is formed, the calcium component is solubilized or the sequestrates affecting the reactivity between the alginate and the calcium component is removed such that a gel feed is formed that includes a gel matrix containing the feed nutrient components. The gel feed may then be fed to the livestock. In another aspect of the present invention, piglets are weaned by feeding the gel feed for at least seven days directly after weaning. The gel feed may also include protein derived from blood with or without egg protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Kent Lanter, Brenda de Rodas, Bill L. Miller, Gary E. Fitzner
  • Patent number: 10292944
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Jill A. Davidson, Cindie M. Luhman
  • Publication number: 20190133151
    Abstract: A method of improving the health of a first group of young monogastric mammals, the first group of young monogastric mammals nursing from a first lactating monogastric mammal during a pre-weaning period, the method including feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of an animal feed during the pre-weaning period, and feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of sugar alcohol during the pre-weaning period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Brenda de Rodas, Cindie M. Luhman, Bill L. Miller, Paul A. Porter