Patents by Inventor James R. Kraft
James R. Kraft 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: 20220104450Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for controlling environmental conditions within and/or around an animal enclosure. The systems and methods preferably comprise a climate control system and infrared sensors in a poultry house having a first climate and housing poultry having one or more measurable parameters such a temperature. The infrared sensors detect infrared light information emitted by a head and/or vent of poultry in the house. The climate control system processes the information to calculate an internal temperature of poultry and activates one or more climate conditioning devices in the house to change the first climate to a second climate determined by the detected information and/or calculated internal temperatures of the poultry. The systems and methods may be deployed in houses comprising thousands of poultry and one or more climate zones. The systems and methods may make one or more climate changes based on one or more different parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Robert Christenson, James R. Kraft
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Patent number: 10215182Abstract: A manufacturing method and assembly for providing ventilation to a selected structure is disclosed. The assembly may include various features such as flexible portions, rigid portions, and assembly portions. Further, various steps may be used to form the assembly to achieve selected results, such as single piece formation, inclusion of various positioning members, and packaging or shipping considerations.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: CTB, INC.Inventors: Curtis Wenger, James R. Kraft
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Publication number: 20160010651Abstract: A manufacturing method and assembly for providing ventilation to a selected structure is disclosed. The assembly may include various features such as flexible portions, rigid portions, and assembly portions. Further, various steps may be used to form the assembly to achieve selected results, such as single piece formation, inclusion of various positioning members, and packaging or shipping considerations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Curtis WENGER, James R. KRAFT
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Patent number: 9157453Abstract: A manufacturing method and assembly for providing ventilation to a selected structure is disclosed. The assembly may include various features such as flexible portions, rigid portions, and assembly portions. Further, various steps may be used to form the assembly to achieve selected results, such as single piece formation, inclusion of various positioning members, and packaging or shipping considerations.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: CTB, Inc.Inventors: Curtis Wenger, James R. Kraft
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Publication number: 20130051999Abstract: A manufacturing method and assembly for providing ventilation to a selected structure is disclosed. The assembly may include various features such as flexible portions, rigid portions, and assembly portions. Further, various steps may be used to form the assembly to achieve selected results, such as single piece formation, inclusion of various positioning members, and packaging or shipping considerations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: CTB, Inc.Inventors: Curtis Wenger, James R. Kraft
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Patent number: 8033248Abstract: A method of managing feed flow within a feeder from a feed supply conduit to a pan of said feeder is provided. The method includes the step of providing a feeder including a pan and a drop tube assembly where the assembly is configured to receive feed from the conduit, and where the assembly defines a feed gate through an outer wall thereof such that feed received from the conduit flows through the feed gate and into the pan. The method further includes the step of regulating a position of the feed gate in the outer wall of the assembly such that feed flow into the pan can be substantially controlled, such that the feed flow can be substantially directed into selected areas and at selected levels within the pan, and/or such that the position of the feed gate is variable relative to a distal end of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: CTB, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Patent number: 7806387Abstract: A guide adapted to retain a flexible member can include a body defining an arcuate intermediate portion extending between a first end and a second end. The arcuate intermediate portion can define a generally u-shaped cross-section. The intermediate portion can define a throat adapted to slidably capture the flexible member. A mounting aperture can be defined through the first end. At least one finger can be formed on the body. The finger can extend toward the throat and is adapted to retain the flexible member within the throat.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: CTB, Inc.Inventors: Curtis Wenger, James R. Kraft
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Publication number: 20090320763Abstract: A method of managing feed flow within a feeder from a feed supply conduit to a pan of said feeder is provided. The method includes the step of providing a feeder including a pan and a drop tube assembly where the assembly is configured to receive feed from the conduit, and where the assembly defines a feed gate through an outer wall thereof such that feed received from the conduit flows through the feed gate and into the pan. The method further includes the step of regulating a position of the feed gate in the outer wall of the assembly such that feed flow into the pan can be substantially controlled, such that the feed flow can be substantially directed into selected areas and at selected levels within the pan, and/or such that the position of the feed gate is variable relative to a distal end of the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Publication number: 20090014699Abstract: A guide adapted to retain a flexible member can include a body defining an arcuate intermediate portion extending between a first end and a second end. The arcuate intermediate portion can define a generally unshaped cross-section. The intermediate portion can define a throat adapted to slidably capture the flexible member. A mounting aperture can be defined through the first end. At least one finger can be formed on the body. The finger can extend toward the throat and is adapted to retain the flexible member within the throat.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventors: Curtis Wenger, James R. Kraft
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Patent number: 7162973Abstract: A grill member for use in a poultry feeder assembly has a generally curved rim member having an outward side surface which varies in radial distance relative to a center of the grill member and a top surface which varies in vertical height relative to a generally planar lower edge of the rim member without the need to adjust the grill member. The grill member also is configured to be rotated relative to a rotationally stable drop tube member in order to change both a position of a brood gate defined in the drop tube member relative to a base portion of a pan member and a height of a feed gate provided between a distal end of the drop tube member and the base portion of the pan member in order to control the flow of feed into the pan member through the brood gate and the feed gate.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Patent number: 7107932Abstract: A feeder assembly for feeding birds of all kinds is provided in three separate embodiments. The feeder assembly of each embodiment is configured to provide for the welfare of birds as they feed from the feeder assembly by allowing the birds' breasts to conform to a rim member of the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly of two embodiments also provides for a lower feed gate to provide feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly. The lower feed gate is always open and can be raised or lowered as desired. The feeder assembly of one of the embodiments also provides for an upper feed gate to provide feed into the pan member of the feeder assembly. The upper feed gate can be opened or closed, and, when open, can adjust the height at which feed flows through the upper feed gate.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Patent number: 7100533Abstract: A feeder assembly for feeding birds of all kinds is provided in three separate embodiments. The feeder assembly of each embodiment is configured to provide for the welfare of birds as they feed from the feeder assembly by allowing the birds' breasts to conform to a rim member of the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly of two embodiments also provides for a lower feed gate to provide feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly. The lower feed gate is always open and can be raised or lowered as desired. The feeder assembly of one of the embodiments also provides for an upper feed gate to provide feed into the pan member of the feeder assembly. The upper feed gate can be opened or closed, and, when open, can adjust the height at which feed flows through the upper feed gate.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Patent number: 7040250Abstract: A method of adjusting a size of a feed gate and a position of a brood gate of a feeder assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of increasing a size of a feed gate by increasing a distance between a distal end of a drop tube member and a pan member, and changing the position of a brood gate relative to the pan member by changing a distance between the brood gate and the pan member. These steps are achieved by either rotating only a grill member in a first direction relative to the drop tube member, or by manipulating only the grill member.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Publication number: 20040025796Abstract: A feeder assembly for feeding birds of all kinds is provided in three separate embodiments. The feeder assembly of each embodiment is configured to provide for the welfare of birds as they feed from the feeder assembly by allowing the birds' breasts to conform to a rim member of the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly of two embodiments also provides for a lower feed gate to provide feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly. The lower feed gate is always open and can be raised or lowered as desired. The feeder assembly of one of the embodiments also provides for an upper feed gate to provide feed into the pan member of the feeder assembly. The upper feed gate can be opened or closed, and, when open, can adjust the height at which feed flows through the upper feed gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Patent number: D530045Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Patent number: D491320Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Patent number: D491696Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2003Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: CTB IP Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Patent number: D498565Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
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Patent number: D499218Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong