Patents by Inventor Corbett Hefner
Corbett Hefner 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).
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Publication number: 20240065164Abstract: A harvesting system for harvesting stalky plants is mountable on a power unit such as an agricultural combine. The harvesting system may have both an upper harvesting head that cuts off the tops of the plants and the directs seed-bearing portions of the plant to the combine's thresher, and a lower harvesting head cuts the stalks near the ground and discharges the stalks in two or more windrows. In order to increase throughput, the upper harvesting head may be raisable and lowerable relative to the combine's feeder housing. To accommodate such adjustment, a discharge conveyor of the upper harvesting head may extend at an adjustable angle relative to the feeder housing. The lower harvesting head may have draper belts arranged to discharge the stalks in two or more, and more typically three or more, laterally spaced, parallel windrows.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventor: Corbett Hefner
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Patent number: 11805735Abstract: A harvesting system for harvesting stalky plants is mountable on a power unit such as an agricultural or construction tractor having hydraulic power and/or a power takeoff (PTO). The system includes at least a reel-based harvesting head configured to cut off at least the tops of the plants and to transport the cut plants laterally of the harvesting system without threshing or otherwise processing the plants. The harvesting head may be mounted on, for example, an upper lift arm assembly or a three-point hitch mechanism of the power unit. If the harvesting head is mounted on the upper lift arm assembly of an agricultural tractor, a second harvesting head may be mountable on the tractor's three-point hitch mechanism beneath the first harvesting head for cutting stalks near their base, gathering the cut stalks, and windrowing the cut stalks behind the second harvesting head.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Formation Ag LLCInventor: Corbett Hefner
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Patent number: 11667439Abstract: A reinforced multilayer material includes a mesh material covered on at least one side, and possibly both, by a layer of a resinous film material. The mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another, at least some of the filaments being composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at least some points of intersection. The multilayer material has a mass per unit area of less than 9.0 oz/yd2 and at least one of a) a bursting strength to mass per unit area ratio of at least 9.0 lbs./(oz/yd2), where bursting strength is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86 and b) a breaking elongation of at least 5% in the warp direction when breaking elongation is measured in accordance with ASTM-5034. A bag is provided that is made at least in part from a multilayer material having at least some of the characteristics described above.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner
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Publication number: 20220097918Abstract: A reinforced multilayer material includes a mesh material covered on at least one side, and possibly both, by a layer of a resinous film material. The mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another, at least some of the filaments being composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at least some points of intersection. The multilayer material has a mass per unit area of less than 9.0 oz/yd2 and at least one of a) a bursting strength to mass per unit area ratio of at least 9.0 lbs./(oz/yd2), where bursting strength is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86 and b) a breaking elongation of at least 5% in the warp direction when breaking elongation is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner
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Patent number: 11142375Abstract: A reinforced multilayer material includes a mesh material covered on at least one side, and possibly both, by a layer of a resinous film material. The mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another, at least some of the filaments being composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at least some points of intersection. The multilayer material has a mass per unit area of less than 9.0 oz/yd2 and a bursting strength to mass per unit area ratio of at least 9.0 lbs/(oz/yd2), where bursting strength is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86. A bag is provided that is made at least in part from a multilayer material having at least some of the characteristics described above.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner
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Patent number: 10934042Abstract: A method is provided of making form fill and seal (FFS) bag formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
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Publication number: 20200253120Abstract: A harvesting system for harvesting stalky plants is mountable on a power unit such as an agricultural or construction tractor having hydraulic power and/or a power takeoff (PTO). The system includes at least a reel-based harvesting head configured to cut off at least the tops of the plants and to transport the cut plants laterally of the harvesting system without threshing or otherwise processing the plants. The harvesting head may be mounted on, for example, an upper lift arm assembly or a three-point hitch mechanism of the power unit. If the harvesting head is mounted on the upper lift arm assembly of an agricultural tractor, a second harvesting head may be mountable on the tractor's three-point hitch mechanism beneath the first harvesting head for cutting stalks near their base, gathering the cut stalks, and windrowing the cut stalks behind the second harvesting head.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventor: Corbett Hefner
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Publication number: 20190390368Abstract: A decortication system includes a feeder configured to convey unoriented fiber-bearing plant stalks in a bulk mass and a decorticator assembly comprising a multi-stage decorticator assembly. The decorticator assembly includes at least a first stage decorticator and a second stage decorticator arranged in series with one another. The first stage decorticator comprises a ripper that is configured to separate stalks from the bulk mass delivered by the feeder and to meter movement of stalks away from the ripper. The second stage decorticator is located downstream of the ripper and further decorticates the stalks to produce fiber and hurd that are separated from one another. It may comprise a roller-roller breaker assembly comprising plurality of roller-breaker assemblies located in series with one another. A third stage decorticator may be located downstream of the second stage decorticator and may comprise a second roller-breaker assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: Power Zone Equipment Inc.Inventors: Corbett Hefner, Don Toews, Cason Toews, Greg Sanchez, kok Chian Ng, Gene Freeland, Eric Frey, Robert Erickson
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Publication number: 20190332093Abstract: A machine is configured to grind and/or shred a waste material and to mix the waste material with a filler material so as to dilute the waste material to a desired level, such as on a minority basis by weight. The machine also includes a blender that grinds or shreds the waste material and the filler material received from drum while mixing the materials together. Materials may be supplied to the blender by a drum located above the blender and/or a hopper located remote from the blender and coupled to the blender by a conveyor. The waste material may be rendered unusable and unrecognizable in the resultant mixture. A computer system can store the various measurements in an internal memory and/or transmit the various measurement to a remote server. Information that supports a finding of compliance with a given regulation can be transmitted to relevant parties.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Paul Isham, Benjamin Meyer, Marshall Spring, Corbett Hefner, William Finch
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Publication number: 20170233115Abstract: A method is provided of making form fill and seal (FFS) bag formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landershamer, Alan Mueller
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Patent number: 9630375Abstract: A form fill and seal (FFS) bag is formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are methods of making such a bag.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer
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Publication number: 20170088311Abstract: A reinforced multilayer material includes a mesh material covered on at least one side, and possibly both, by a layer of a resinous film material. The mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another, at least some of the filaments being composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at least some points of intersection. The multilayer material has a mass per unit area of less than 9.0 oz/yd2 and a bursting strength to mass per unit area ratio of at least 9.0 lbs/(oz/yd2), where bursting strength is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86. A bag is provided that is made at least in part from a multilayer material having at least some of the characteristics described above.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner
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Patent number: 9573342Abstract: Bags, such as L-sewn bags and multi-substrate bags, are formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using such bags.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
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Publication number: 20160264300Abstract: A VFFS bag is provided that is dimensionally stable, aesthetically pleasing, and renders items stored in it highly visible. The bag includes first and second gusseted side walls that span a depth of the bag and front and rear walls that span a width of the bag. The bag has a substantially rectangular closed bottom end. In order to maximize the viewability of stored items and reduce the amount of film material in the bag, the bag has a depth to width ratio of at least 1.5:1 at the bottom end of the bag. Stability is enhanced by sizing the gussets such that they closely approach but do not overlap a line longitudinally bisecting the bag. A VFFS machine also is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Corbett Hefner, Robert McPhail
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Publication number: 20160212949Abstract: A machine and method are provided for laying down an air permeable shading material over a row of harvested produce items and of subsequently retrieving the shading material in a manner that permits its reapplication over another row of produce items. The machine includes a frame, wheels supporting the frame on the ground, and a roll support that supports a roll of a shading material. The machine additionally includes a reversible motor that imparts a rotational driving force to the roll support. The machine is configured and controlled to loosely lay shading material over a row or to wind shading material back onto the roll in a manner that inhibits side-to-side movement of the material relative to the frame and that inhibits material wrinkling.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2015Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Corbett Hefner, Martin Greenbank
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Patent number: 9371143Abstract: A VFFS bag is provided that is dimensionally stable, aesthetically pleasing, and renders items stored in it highly visible. The bag includes first and second gusseted side walls that span a depth of the bag and front and rear walls that span a width of the bag. The bag has a substantially rectangular closed bottom end. In order to maximize the viewabilty of stored items and reduce the amount of film material in the bag, the bag has a depth to width ratio of at least 1.5:1 at the bottom of the bag. Stability is enhanced by sizing the gussets such that they closely approach but do not overlap a line longitudinally bisecting the bag. A VFFS machine and its method of operation also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Corbett Hefner, Robert McPhail
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Patent number: 9339986Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
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Publication number: 20140349063Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
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Patent number: 8784967Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments (1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16) that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments (1, 2, 11, 12) that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments (3,4, 15, 16). When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are articles can be made at least in part from the material including L-seam bags (20), form fill and seal (FFS) bags (1020), and multi-substrate bags (2,020). Methods of making those bags also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
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Publication number: 20110085749Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments (1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16) that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments (1, 2, 11, 12) that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments (3,4, 15, 16). When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are articles can be made at least in part from the material including L-seam bags (20), form fill and seal (FFS) bags (1020), and multi-substrate bags (2,020). Methods of making those bags also are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: VOLM COMPANIES, INC.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller