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).

  • Patent number: 10278369
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Michael S. Burr, Gordon Ballam, Jodi Joy Eineichner Moore, Mikel Roeder, Erin Venable
  • Publication number: 20190098876
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes bee feed products containing blood meal making the products less susceptible to a beetle infestation, and methods of feeding such products to bees. Feeding methods may involve providing a bee feed product to bees on an ad libitum basis. The bee feed product can be an admixture of a liquid bee feed and an amount of blood meal. The amount of blood meal in the bee feed product may reduce the level of beetle infestation. In embodiments, the bees may increase consumption of the feed product in response to the reduced level of beetle infestation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Grace Kunkel, Kent J. Lanter, Bill L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190098916
    Abstract: Insect feed products include blood meal at a level that enables the product to be used in liquid and patty applications. The product includes particles of dried blood meal and at least one additional feed component. A method of forming a liquid insect feed includes admixing a dry insect feed with a sugar-containing liquid, the insect feed including dried blood meal and at least one additional feed component, the dried blood meal being present in the sugar-containing liquid in an amount such that the admixed insect feed remains in suspension for at least one week. A liquid insect feed product containing particles of spray dried blood and at least one additional feed component suspended in liquid with a viscosity of about 400 to 600 cp and the particles remain suspended in the liquid for at least two weeks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Grace Kunkel, Kent Lanter, Bill L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190098917
    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: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Grace Kunkel, Kent Lanter, James Redhage, Bill L. Miller
  • Patent number: 10231473
    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: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Purina Mills, LLC
    Inventors: Kent Lanter, Brenda de Rodas, Bill L. Miller, Gary E. Fitzner
  • Patent number: 10201580
    Abstract: An animal feed such as a milk replacer includes a soluble fiber and a sugar alcohol. The milk replacer enhances weight gain, starter intake and reduces weaning time. The method of feeding the animal includes feeding a mixture of a soluble fiber and sugar alcohol. The animal feed may be used as a method of weaning young ruminants such as calves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC
    Inventor: Bill L. Miller
  • Patent number: 10172376
    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: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC
    Inventors: Brenda de Rodas, Cindie M. Luhman, Bill L. Miller, Paul A. Porter
  • Publication number: 20180360071
    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: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Kent Lanter, Brenda de Rodas, Bill L. Miller, Gary E. Fitzner
  • Publication number: 20180318236
    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: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Jill A. Davidson, Cindie M. Luhman
  • Publication number: 20180289039
    Abstract: Methods involve feeding young livestock animals a starter feed, where the starter feed comprises an amount of soluble mannan oligosaccharides. The young animals may be chicks. In response to ingesting the starter feed, the young animals may increase a rate of weight gain and increase feed efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Bill L. Miller
  • Patent number: 10085466
    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: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: PURINA MILLS, LLC
    Inventors: Kent Lanter, Brenda de Rodas, Bill L. Miller, Gary E. Fitzner
  • Publication number: 20180255807
    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: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Sarah Schuling, Jill Davidson, Bill L. Miller
  • Patent number: 10052292
    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: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Jill A. Davidson, Cindie M. Luhman
  • Publication number: 20180185425
    Abstract: A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance during periods of heat stress involves determining the non-livestock ruminant animal is experiencing heat stress during a period of heat stress conditions, and feeding the heat stressed non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including an amount of the phytogenic composition that is effective to improve performance. A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance in anticipation of periods of heat stress involves determining a potential for heat stress is increased based on one or more of historical weather patterns or short-term forecasts, and feeding the non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including the phytogenic composition based on the determined potential for heat stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: James D. Caldwell, Bill L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20180168191
    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: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Kent Lanter, Brenda de Rodas, Bill L. Miller, Gary E. Fitzner
  • Patent number: 9986749
    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: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC
    Inventors: Sarah E. Boucher, Jill Davidson, Bill L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20180146697
    Abstract: Isoflavone-supplemented milk replacers fed to young animals during a pre-weaning provides isoflavones in the milk replacer at a level of about 700 mg per kilogram of the milk replacer, and/or provides about 450 mg of the supplemental isoflavone in at least about 1.5 pounds of the milk replacer by dry weight such that the animal ingests this amount of the isoflavone per day, and/or provides in the milk replacer at least about 50 mg of isoflavone per pound of the animal's birth weight is ingested per day. In response to ingesting the isoflavone-supplemented milk replacer, the young animal experiences improved performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventor: Bill L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20180125093
    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: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Robert C. Musser
  • Patent number: 9918487
    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 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: PURINA MILLS, LLC
    Inventors: Kent Lanter, Brenda de Rodas, Bill L. Miller, Gary E. Fitzner
  • Publication number: 20180042863
    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: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, Jill A. Davidson, Cindie M. Luhman