Patents by Inventor James F. Hancock

James F. Hancock 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: 20180271003
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named ‘BB06-50FL-1’ as described and shown herein. ‘BB06-50FL-1’ is a new and distinct low chill tetraploid Southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with over 13% V. darrowii and small contributions of V. angustifolium, V. tenellum, and V. ashei. ‘BB06-50FL-1’ is a productive very early season variety that ripens nearly two weeks before Star, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675. ‘BB06-50FL-1’ is intended for areas that successfully grow lower chill Southern highbush varieties. The fruit of ‘BB06-50FL-1’ are large, typically 18 mm or more in diameter with an average berry weight of 2.9 gram per berry, well exposed on a medium upright bush with a small crown. ‘BB06-50FL-1’ has very good flavor with a balanced amount of sugar and acidity and is also firm and juicy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Berry Blue LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Publication number: 20180177089
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named ‘BB07-7FL-4’ as described and shown herein. ‘BB07-7FL-4’ is a new and distinct low chill tetraploid Southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with over 13% V. darrowii and small contributions of V. angustifolium, V. tenellum, and V. ashei. ‘BB07-7FL-4’ is a productive very early season variety that ripens nearly two weeks before Star, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675. ‘BB07-7FL-4’ is intended for areas that successfully grow lower chill Southern highbush varieties. The fruit of ‘BB07-7FL-4’ are large, typically 18 mm or more in diameter with an average berry weight of 2.9 gram per berry, well exposed on a medium upright bush with a small crown. ‘BB07-7FL-4’ has very good flavor with a balanced amount of sugar and acidity and is also firm and juicy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Publication number: 20180177090
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Blueberry plant named ‘BB06-507MI-52’ as described and shown herein. ‘BB06-507MI-52’ is a new and distinct high chill tetraploid Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with small contributions of V. darrowii, v. angustifolium, V. tenellum and V. ashei. It is a very productive very early season variety that ripens five days before Duke, a widely planted early season highbush variety. It is characterized as having very large fruit with a very small and dry picking scar, medium blue color and very firm fruit with excellent eating and storage quality for the fresh market. The ‘BB06-507MI-52’ variety has very good flavor with a balanced amount of sugar and acidity and it is also very firm and juicy. Storage ability in refrigeration is excellent up to 6 weeks and longer with very little decline in quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Publication number: 20150128312
    Abstract: ‘Calypso’ is a new blueberry cultivar of primarily Vaccinium corymbosum. The rest of its parentage is from V. darrowii (13.3%), V. angustifolium (3.8%), V. tenellum (<1%), and V ashei (<1%). It is a highly productive cultivar with excellent fresh fruit quality. Plants of ‘Calypso’ are vigorous and upright. Its canes are numerous and moderately branched, and the fruit are well exposed. Its berries are large, have small, dry picking scars, medium light blue color, and excellent firmness and flavor. In general, the fruit of ‘Calypso’ has held extremely well on the bush after ripening, except in the unusually hot summers of 2012 in Michigan and Oregon. In that year it was softer than normal, performing similar to ‘Liberty’ under hot conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: James F. Hancock
  • Publication number: 20150128313
    Abstract: ‘Osorno’ is a new blueberry cultivar of primarily Vaccinium corymbosum. The rest of its parentage is from V. darrowii (13.3%), V. angustifolium (3.8%), V tenellum (<1%), and V. ashei (<1%). It is a highly productive cultivar with exceptional fresh fruit quality. It is likely best adapted to the northern highbush production areas where winters are not severe, such as central Chile and the Pacific Northwest, but it is recommended for further trial in colder production regions such as Michigan. Plants of ‘Osorno’ are vigorous and upright, although the canes can be lax when loaded with fruit. Canes are numerous, moderately branched and the fruit are well exposed. Its berries are large, have small, dry picking scars, light blue color, and excellent firmness and flavor. Its fruit held up extremely well in the unseasonably hot summer of 2012, when temperatures routinely exceeded 30 C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP25995
    Abstract: ‘Calypso’ is a new blueberry cultivar of primarily Vaccinium corymbosum. The rest of its parentage is from V. darrowii (13.3%), V. angustifolium (3.8%), V. tenellum (<1%), and V. ashei (<1%). It is a highly productive cultivar with excellent fresh fruit quality. Plants of ‘Calypso’ are vigorous and upright. Its canes are numerous and moderately branched, and the fruit are well exposed. Its berries are large, have small, dry picking scars, medium light blue color, and excellent firmness and flavor. In general, the fruit of ‘Calypso’ has held extremely well on the bush after ripening, except in the unusually hot summers of 2012 in Michigan and Oregon. In that year it was softer than normal, performing similar to ‘Liberty’ under hot conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventor: James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP26031
    Abstract: ‘Osorno’ is a new blueberry cultivar of primarily Vaccinium corymbosum. The rest of its parentage is from V. darrowii (13.3%), V. angustifolium (3.8%), V. tenellum (<1%), and V. ashei (<1%). It is a highly productive cultivar with exceptional fresh fruit quality. It is likely best adapted to the northern highbush production areas where winters are not severe, such as central Chile and the Pacific Northwest, but it is recommended for further trial in colder production regions such as Michigan. Plants of ‘Osorno’ are vigorous and upright, although the canes can be lax when loaded with fruit. Canes are numerous, moderately branched and the fruit are well exposed. Its berries are large, have small, dry picking scars, light blue color, and excellent firmness and flavor. Its fruit held up extremely well in the unseasonably hot summer of 2012, when temperatures routinely exceeded 30 C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Trustees Michigan State University
    Inventor: James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP30421
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named ‘BB07-7FL-4’ as described and shown herein. ‘BB07-7FL-4’ is a new and distinct low chill tetraploid Southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with over 13% V. darrowii and small contributions of V. angustifolium, V. tenellum, and V. ashei. ‘BB07-7FL-4’ is a productive very early season variety. ‘BB07-7FL-4’ is intended for areas that successfully grow lower chill Southern highbush varieties. The fruit of ‘BB07-7FL-4’ are large, typically 18 mm or more in diameter with an average berry weight of 2.9 gram per berry, well exposed on a medium upright bush with a small crown. ‘BB07-7FL-4’ has very good flavor with a balanced amount of sugar and acidity and is also firm and juicy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP30422
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Blueberry plant named ‘BB06-507MI-52’ as described and shown. ‘BB06-507MI-52’ is a new and distinct high chill tetraploid Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with small contributions of V. darrowii, V. angustifolium, V. tenellum and V. ashei. It is a very productive and very early ripening. It is characterized as having very large fruit with a very small and dry picking scar, medium blue color and very firm fruit with excellent eating and storage quality for the fresh market. The ‘BB06-507MI-52’ variety has very good flavor with a balanced amount of sugar and acidity and it is also very firm and juicy. Storage ability in refrigeration is excellent up to 6 weeks and longer with very little decline in quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP30445
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named ‘BB06-50FL-1’ as described and shown herein. ‘BB06-50FL-1’ is a new and distinct low chill tetraploid Southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with over 13% V. darrowii and small contributions of V. angustifolium, V. tenellum, and V. ashei. ‘BB06-50FL-1’ is a productive mid-season variety that ripens at a similar time as ‘Star’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675. ‘BB06-50FL-1’ is intended for areas that successfully grow lower chill Southern highbush varieties. The fruit of ‘BB06-50FL-1’ are large, typically 18 mm or more in diameter with an average berry weight of 2.9 gram per berry, well exposed on a medium upright bush with a small crown. The fruit of ‘BB06-50FL-1’ has very good flavor with a balanced amount of sugar and acidity and is also firm and juicy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP31231
    Abstract: ‘BB05-35FL-10’ is a new and distinct low chill tetraploid, Southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety. Plants of ‘BB05-35FL-10’ are very vigorous with a medium upright bush habit and a medium number of upright canes and lateral branches. Bush crown size is medium and leafing and growth are excellent. The berries are firm, medium crunchy in texture with a pleasing balanced flavor of sweetness and acidity and have storage ability of two to three weeks. In general, the productivity has been outstanding in Florida, Georgia USA, and Chile with high yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP31257
    Abstract: ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is a new and distinct variety of high chill tetraploid Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) plant. ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is characterized as having large fruit, medium blue in color, that is firm with a very small and dry picking scar. The fruit is well exposed on a vigorously growing medium upright bush. Along with a small sized crown, a loose fruit cluster, concentrated ripening, and firm fruit that is easily detachable, ‘BB06-426MI-84’ displays characteristics suitable for mechanical harvest. The fruit shape of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is oblate with a medium amount of waxy bloom that is moderately persistent following handling. The fruit has very good flavor, a balance of sweetness and acidity and is very juicy with a medium crunchy texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP31524
    Abstract: ‘BB06-343MI-16’ is a new and distinct high chill tetraploid Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety. ‘BB06-343MI-16’ is characterized as having large fruit, medium blue in color, and is very firm with a very small and dry pedicel scar. The fruit is well exposed on a vigorous medium upright bush. Along with a small sized crown, a loose fruit cluster, concentrated ripening, and very firm fruit that is easily detachable, the variety displays characteristics suitable for mechanical harvest. Berries of ‘BB06-343MI-16’ have very good flavor, a balance of sweetness and acidity and is very juicy with a crunchy texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP31648
    Abstract: ‘BB06-126VC-4’ is a new and distinct medium-chill southern highbush blueberry variety of plant. ‘BB06-126VC-4’ is a productive early ripening variety which provides a very good yield potential with very good plant vigor, fruit quality, flavor, crunchy texture, and high firmness. ‘BB06-126VC-4’ is suitable for areas that successfully grow lower chill Southern highbush varieties. The fruit of ‘BB06-126VC-4’ are very large, typically 18 mm or more in diameter with an average berry weight of 2.9 gram per berry, well exposed on a medium upright bush with a small crown. ‘BB06-126VC-4’ has very good flavor with a balanced amount of sugar and acidity and is also very firm and juicy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock, Maria Pilar Banados
  • Patent number: PP32110
    Abstract: Katandin is a new blueberry variety of Vaccinium corymbosum from the Michigan State University breeding program. Is comprised of primarily Vaccinium corymbosum, with about 7% of its genes coming from V. darrowii, 4% from V. angustifolium and <1% from V. tenellum and V. ashei. It is a highly productive cultivar with excellent fresh fruit quality. It is well adapted to all northern highbush production areas. Canes are numerous, moderately branched and the fruit are well exposed. Its berries are large, have small, dry picking scars, medium blue color, good firmness and flavor. Katandin is characterized by high yields, high vigor and strong winter hardiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Board of Trustess of Michigan State University
    Inventor: James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP32574
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named ‘BB05-259MI-15’ as described and shown herein. ‘BB05-259MI-15’ is a new and distinct high chill tetraploid Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety consisting of primarily V. corymbosum, with a limited contribution of genes from V. ashei and V. darrowi. It is a very productive late midseason maturing variety. It is characterized as having large fruit, light blue in color, and is very firm with a very small and dry picking scar. The fruit is well exposed on a vigorous medium upright bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP32575
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named ‘BB05-268MI-152’ as described and shown herein. ‘BB05-268MI-152’ is a new and distinct high chill tetraploid Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety consisting of primarily V. corymbosum, with a limited contribution of genes from V. ashei and V. darrowi. ‘BB05-268MI-152’ is a very productive midseason maturing variety. It is characterized as having large fruit, medium blue in color, and is very firm with a very small and dry picking scar. The fruit is well exposed on a vigorous medium upright bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP33110
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named ‘BB07-249GA-3’ as described and shown herein. ‘BB07-249GA-3’ is a new and distinct low chill tetraploid Southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety consisting of primarily V. corymbosum, with a limited contribution of genes from V. ashei and V. darrowi. It is a very productive early maturing variety. It is characterized as having large fruit, medium blue in color and is very firm with a very small and dry picking scar. The fruit is well exposed on a vigorous slightly spreading bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock
  • Patent number: PP33111
    Abstract: ‘BB15-214PO-3’, is the first known genotype selected in a tropical environment of Peru. ‘BB15-214PO-3’ does not require chill-hours for either budbreak or fruit production, since it does not develop endo-dormancy. The fruit of ‘BB15-214PO-3’ is a medium size berry, with medium blue color, with excellent fruit firmness and very juicy and crunchy texture. The eating quality of ‘BB15-214PO-3’ is excellent a superior to many of the varieties currently grown in Peru, with a sugar/acidity balance of 40 to 50. Time of fruit production in ‘BB15-214PO-3’ can be regulated by the pruning date and environment conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Berry Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund J. Wheeler, James F. Hancock, Maria Pilar Banados
  • Patent number: PP35365
    Abstract: ‘MSU 120’ is a new blueberry variety of Vaccinium corymbosum. ‘MSU 120’ is primarily Vaccinium corymbosum but is a complex hybrid with about 7.7% of its genes coming from V. darrowii, 6% from V. angustifolium, 1.7% from V. virgatum, and 0.2% from V. tenellum. It is a highly productive cultivar-with excellent fresh fruit quality. It is well adapted to all northern highbush production areas. Plants of ‘MSU 120’ are vigorous and upright, with numerous, moderately branched canes and well exposed fruit. Its berries are large, have small, dry picking scars, medium blue color, good firmness and flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: James F. Hancock