Patents by Inventor Gerald C. Weigel

Gerald C. Weigel 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: 4904486
    Abstract: Cattle feed blocks are made by a relatively low cost process based, in some embodiments, on the by-product residues of the corn industry. That is, a hardening agent taken from the class consisting of corn gluten feed or corn steep liquor, or both, may be used to provide for hardening the feed block. The first materials to be placed in a mixer include molasses and hot water. The mixer is started, and then the clay is added to keep the ingredients in suspension. Next, animal fat, vitamins, and other ingredients are added to the mixer, after which the mixture is brought to a temperature in the range of about 140.degree. F. to 175.degree. F. at which time magnesium oxide, and vegetable matter are added with the mixer running. Then, all of the ingredients are mixed until the mixture reaches a temperature in the range of 140.degree. F. to 175.degree. F. after which it is placed in corrugated cardboard boxes, to remain in inventory until the resulting feed blocks reach a suitable hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Archer Daniels Midland Company
    Inventors: Dennis Donovan, Michael L. McDonnell, Gerald C. Weigel, John E. Long
  • Patent number: 4735809
    Abstract: A low cost process is used to make animal feed blocks from by-product residues of the corn and cotton industries. The first and liquid materials to be placed in a mixer include condensed fermented corn extractives, molasses, and hot water (all at approximately 110.degree. F.). The mixer is started, and a suspending agent, such as clay, is added to keep both the above and the later added ingredients in suspension. The clay should preferably be added before fat and any dry ingredients are added. Next, animal fat, vitamins, and other ingredients are added with the mixer running. Cottonseed meal is used as a rehydrating material to take up free water and thereby reduces the amount of water available to react with nitrogen, and in turn, reducing the amount of liberated ammonia. The pH is carefully controlled to be highly alkaline, for causing consumption limiting by the animal ingesting the feed block. After the ingredients are added, the mixture is brought to a temperature which is preferably approximately 140.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Archer Daniels Midland Company
    Inventors: Dennis Donovan, Gerald C. Weigel
  • Patent number: 4708877
    Abstract: Cattle feed blocks are made by a relatively low cost process based, in some embodiments, on the by-product residues of the corn industry. That is, a hardening agent taken from the class consisting of corn gluten feed or corn steep liquor, or both, may be used to provide for hardening the feed block. The first materials to be placed in a mixer include molasses and hot water. The mixer is started, and then the clay is added to keep the ingredients in suspension. Next, animal fat, vitamins, and other ingredients are added to the mixer, after which the mixture is brought to a temperature in the range of about 140.degree. F. to 175.degree. F. at which time magnesium oxide, and vegetable matter are added with the mixer running. Then, all of the ingredients are mixed until the mixture reaches a temperature in the range of 140.degree. F. to 175.degree. F. after which it is placed in corrugated cardboard boxes, to remain in inventory until the resulting feed blocks reach a suitable hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Archer Daniels Midland Company
    Inventors: Dennis Donovan, Michael L. McDonnell, Gerald C. Weigel, John E. Long