Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Burnham

Jeffrey C. Burnham 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: 20230140837
    Abstract: The invention is directed to fertilizers and manufacturing methods using organically enhanced inorganic fertilizer granules that incorporate a coating of one or more layers containing a bioactive agent in a carrier. The bioactive agent may be an herbicide, pesticide, plant growth regulator, microorganism, or beneficial element. Manufacture of conventional fertilizers involves stresses such as pH, heat, and pressure that are overcome by providing a protective carrier that facilitates and extends functional survival/effectiveness. Many carriers, such as liquefied dried milk, bind actively to the granule surface and contribute to the total carbon base. The release of the bioactive agent from the coating and or the surface of the fertilizer granule preferably results in a two-phased release, a first fast release and a second extended or slow-release into the soil metering the bioavailability of the bioactive agent for crop growth or protection, and/or for controlling unwanted vegetation or pests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Anuvia Plant Nutrients IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, Sanford A. Siegel, Martin M. Topps
  • Publication number: 20230022971
    Abstract: The invention is directed to organic fertilizers having commercial levels of nitrogen reacted with organic substances. The scalable process comprises adding an organic processing center to a fertilizer granulation plant specifically for the treatment of organics with an acid that acidifies, heats and liquifies a mix resulting in the hydrolysis of most or all organic material and polymers. For ammonium sulfate-based fertilizer this mix is only reacted with concentrated sulfuric acid. For ammonium phosphate fertilizers, this mix is reacted with both concentrated sulfuric acid and a concentrated phosphoric acid. The acidified organic mixes are piped to an existing or new granulation plant where it is injected with anhydrous ammonia in a tee mixer/reactor that results in a partially neutralized melt. Subsequently a sterilized and liquefied organic melt is sprayed over recycled bed material for production of granules before drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Anuvia Plant Nutrients IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, Gary L. Dahms, James P. Carr, Hugh Broadhurst
  • Patent number: 11542213
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coated granular fertilizer, preferably wherein granules are sulfate-based or phosphate-based. When sulfate-based granules, as in ammonium sulfate, the coating substance is an inorganic salt of alkaline earth elements, preferably calcium, such that when applied to the surface of fertilizers, forms calcium sulfate, preferably a calcium sulfate-dihydrate, as a protective coating. For a reactive coating of a thiosulfate, free sulfuric acid present on the granule reacts to provide an elemental sulfur coating. For ammonium phosphate-based granules, coatings may comprise compounds of Ca++, Al+++ and/or Fe+++ salts thereby forming a calcium, an aluminum, an iron, or mixed cation phosphate protective coating. Thiosulfate is also effective with phosphate-based granules which are manufactured with sulfuric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Anuvia Plant Nutrients IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Sanford A. Siegel, Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Publication number: 20220164856
    Abstract: The invention is directed to fertilizers and manufacturing methods using organically enhanced inorganic fertilizer granules that incorporate a coating of one or more layers containing a bioactive agent in a carrier. The bioactive agent may be an herbicide, pesticide, plant growth regulator, microorganism, or beneficial element. Manufacture of conventional fertilizers involves stresses such as pH, heat, and pressure that are overcome by providing a protective carrier that facilitates and extends functional survival/effectiveness. Many carriers, such as liquefied dried milk, bind actively to the granule surface and contribute to the total carbon base. The release of the bioactive agent from the coating and or the surface of the fertilizer granule preferably results in a two-phased release, a first fast release and a second extended or slow-release into the soil metering the bioavailability of the bioactive agent for crop growth or protection, and/or for controlling unwanted vegetation or pests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Anuvia Plant Nutrients IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, Sanford A. Siegel, Martin M. Topps
  • Publication number: 20210114952
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coated granular fertilizer, preferably wherein granules are sulfate-based or phosphate-based. When sulfate-based granules, as in ammonium sulfate, the coating substance is an inorganic salt of alkaline earth elements, preferably calcium, such that when applied to the surface of fertilizers, forms calcium sulfate, preferably a calcium sulfate-dihydrate, as a protective coating. For a reactive coating of a thiosulfate, free sulfuric acid present on the granule reacts to provide an elemental sulfur coating. For ammonium phosphate-based granules, coatings may comprise compounds of Ca++, Al+++ and/or Fe+++ salts thereby forming a calcium, an aluminum, an iron, or mixed cation phosphate protective coating. Thiosulfate is also effective with phosphate-based granules which arc manufactured with sulfuric acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Sanford A. Siegel, Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 10870609
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coated granular fertilizer, preferably wherein granules are sulfate-based or phosphate-based. When sulfate based granules, as in ammonium sulfate, the coating substance is an inorganic salt of alkaline earth elements, preferably calcium, such that when applied to the surface of fertilizers, forms calcium sulfate, preferably a calcium sulfate-dihydrate, as a protective coating. For a reactive coating of a thiosulfate, free sulfuric acid present on the granule reacts to provide an elemental sulfur coating. For ammonium phosphate-based granules, coatings may comprise compounds of Ca++, Al+++ and/or Fe+++ salts thereby forming a calcium, an aluminum, an iron, or mixed cation phosphate protective coating. Thiosulfate is also effective with phosphate based granules which are manufactured with sulfuric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Sanford A. Siegel, Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Publication number: 20200148605
    Abstract: The invention is directed to coated fertilizer granules and methods for manufacturing granules and using organically enhanced inorganic fertilizer granules, which incorporate a coating of one or more concentric layers over a core such that the coating contains a bioactive agent such as a herbicide, pesticide, plant growth regulator, microorganism, or beneficial element. Application of the coating to the fertilizer granule preferably involves binding of the bioactive agent to the surface of granule or to the organic components within the granule. The release of the bioactive agent from the coating and or the surface of the granule preferably results in a two-phased release, a first fast release and a second extended or slow-release of the bioactive agent into the soil metering the bioavailability of the bioactive agent for crop growth or protection, and/or for controlling unwanted vegetation or pests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, Sanford A. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20200055794
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coated granular fertilizer, preferably wherein granules are sulfate-based or phosphate-based. When sulfate based granules, as in ammonium sulfate, the coating substance is an inorganic salt of alkaline earth elements, preferably calcium, such that when applied to the surface of fertilizers, forms calcium sulfate, preferably a calcium sulfate-dihydrate, as a protective coating. For a reactive coating of a thiosulfate, free sulfuric acid present on the granule reacts to provide an elemental sulfur coating. For ammonium phosphate-based granules, coatings may comprise compounds of Ca++, Al+++ and/or Fe+++ salts thereby forming a calcium, an aluminum, an iron, or mixed cation phosphate protective coating. Thiosulfate is also effective with phosphate based granules which are manufactured with sulfuric acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Sanford A. Siegel, Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Publication number: 20180105474
    Abstract: The invention is directed to manufacturing fertilizers having commercial levels of nitrogen reacted with organic substances. The process comprises treatment of organics with acid that acidifies and heats a mix causing the hydrolysis of polymers. The acidified organic mix is injected sequentially with a nitrogen base under conditions that result in a partially neutralized melt. The sterilized and liquefied organic matter is disbursed over recycled material for production of granules in a granulator before final drying. The process is green scalable, and safe for the location of community organics processing facilities in locations without generating a nuisance to local communities. Fertilizers also provide a green, dual nitrogen-release profile when applied to crops releasing a bolus of nitrogen over one to two weeks following application followed by a continued slow or enhanced efficiency release of nitrogen over a growing season.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, Gary L. Dahms, Barry R. Jarrett, Larry S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9856178
    Abstract: The invention is directed to manufacturing fertilizers having commercial levels of nitrogen reacted with organic substances. The process comprises treatment of organics with acid that acidifies and heats a mix causing the hydrolysis of polymers. The acidified organic mix is injected sequentially with a nitrogen base under conditions that result in a partially neutralized melt. The sterilized and liquefied organic matter is disbursed over recycled material for production of granules in a granulator before final drying. The process is green scalable, and safe for the location of community organics processing facilities in locations without generating a nuisance to local communities. Fertilizers also provide a green, dual nitrogen-release profile when applied to crops releasing a bolus of nitrogen over one to two weeks following application followed by a continued slow or enhanced efficiency release of nitrogen over a growing season.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, Gary L. Dahms, Barry R. Jarrett, Larry S. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20170232419
    Abstract: The invention is directed to manufacture of fertilizer having commercial levels of nitrogen supplemented with organic substances. The process treats organic matter with acid causing hydrolysis of organic polymers after which the mix is injected with nitrogen. The resultant sterilized and liquefied organic matter is disbursed over recycled material for the production of granules. Because the process allows for the controlled addition of acids and ammonia, desired levels of components can be achieved. The process is scalable, odor controlled and safe thereby allowing for the location of biosolid processing facilities in most any location. Further, the fertilizer of the invention provides a dual nitrogen-release profile when applied to crops. After application to soil, fertilizer of the invention releases an immediate bolus of nitrogen, similar to traditional ammonium sulfate, followed by continued slow release of nitrogen typically over a season.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Dahms, James P. Carr, Jeffrey C. Burnham, Barry R. Jarrett
  • Publication number: 20170210674
    Abstract: The invention describes a new method for treating sludge, which can result in the production of high nitrogen organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that incorporates municipal sludges or biosolids or organic sludges that can compete with traditional fertilizers such as ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate and urea on the commodity fertilizer marketplace. The method takes advantage of the thixotropic property of dewatered biosolids or organic sludge to create a pumpable paste-like material from the biosolids or organic sludge that is then treated with an oxidizer to reduce odorant effects and an acid. This mix is then interacted with concentrated sulfuric and or phosphoric acids and an ammonia source or alternatively a hot or molten melt or salt of ammonium sulfate/phosphate to form a fertilizer mix. The present invention controls the heat, atmospheric pressure and retention time of the fertilizer mix in the reaction vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, James P. Carr, Gary L. Dahms
  • Patent number: 9695092
    Abstract: The invention describes a new method for treating sludge, which can result in the production of high nitrogen organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that incorporates municipal sludges or biosolids or organic sludges that can compete with traditional fertilizers such as ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate and urea on the commodity fertilizer marketplace. The method takes advantage of the thixotropic property of dewatered biosolids or organic sludge to create a pumpable paste-like material from the biosolids or organic sludge that is then treated with an oxidizer to reduce odorant effects and an acid. This mix is then interacted with concentrated sulfuric and or phosphoric acids and an ammonia source or alternatively a hot or molten melt or salt of ammonium sulfate/phosphate to form a fertilizer mix. The present invention controls the heat, atmospheric pressure and retention time of the fertilizer mix in the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, James P. Carr, Gary L. Dahms
  • Publication number: 20170088474
    Abstract: The invention describes a new method for the production of high nitrogen organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that incorporates municipal biosolids or organic sludges that can compete with traditional fertilizers such as ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate and urea on the commodity fertilizer marketplace. The method creates a thixotropic paste-like material from the biosolids or organic sludge that is blended with hot or molten ammonium salts, especially a mixture of ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate. The invention can be an add-on to commercial production of ammonium salts or it can stand alone by manufacturing ammonium salts prior to their introduction to the conditioned biosolids. The invention is oriented to be tailored to production facilities for individual municipal waste treatment plants in order to keep manufacturing plants small with a minimization of logistics and liability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 9586869
    Abstract: The invention is directed to processes for treating biosolids that result in high-value, nitrogen-containing, slow-release, organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that are competitive with less valuable or more costly conventional commercially manufactured fertilizers. The process involves conditioning traditional waste-water biosolids and processing the conditioned biosolids continuously in a high throughput manufacturing facility. The exothermic design and closed loop control of the primary reaction vessel decreases significantly the amount of power necessary to run a manufacturing facility. The process utilizes green technologies to facilitate decreased waste and enhanced air quality standards over traditional processing plants. The fertilizer produced from recovered biosolid waste is safe and meets or exceeds the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) Class A and Exceptional Quality standards and is not subject to restrictions or regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, James P. Carr, Gary L. Dahms
  • Publication number: 20160355443
    Abstract: The invention is directed to manufacturing fertilizers having commercial levels of nitrogen reacted with organic substances. The process comprises treatment of organics with acid that acidifies and heats a mix causing the hydrolysis of polymers. The acidified organic mix is injected sequentially with a nitrogen base under conditions that result in a partially neutralized melt. The sterilized and liquefied organic matter is disbursed over recycled material for production of granules in a granulator before final drying. The process is green scalable, and safe for the location of community organics processing facilities in locations without generating a nuisance to local communities. Fertilizers also provide a green, dual nitrogen-release profile when applied to crops releasing a bolus of nitrogen over one to two weeks following application followed by a continued slow or enhanced efficiency release of nitrogen over a growing season.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, Gary L. Dahms, Barry R. Jarrett, Larry S. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20160137560
    Abstract: This invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for treating organic-containing sludges and converting such sludges to high value fertilizers containing both inorganic and organic fertilizer components, which creates an inorganically-augmented bioorganic fertilizer. The invention describes methods to create a thixotropic or paste-like material via the application of mixing energy to the organic sludge followed by an alkaline treatment and a subsequent ammoniation. The invention further describes a method to increase the plant nutrient content in the organic containing product to a level which permits the finished granular fertilizer product to compete in the commercial agricultural fertilizer marketplace. Further, the invention reduces odors associated with said organic-containing sludges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 9328030
    Abstract: The invention is directed to processes for treating biosolids that result in high-value, nitrogen-containing, slow-release, organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that are competitive with less valuable or more costly conventional commercially manufactured fertilizers. The process involves conditioning traditional waste-water biosolids and processing the conditioned biosolids continuously in a high throughput manufacturing facility. The exothermic design and closed loop control of the primary reaction vessel decreases significantly the amount of power necessary to run a manufacturing facility. The process utilizes green technologies to facilitate decreased waste and enhanced air quality standards over traditional processing plants. The fertilizer produced from recovered biosolid waste is safe and meets or exceeds the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) Class A and Exceptional Quality standards and is not subject to restrictions or regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Burnham, James P. Carr, Gary L. Dahms
  • Patent number: 9233882
    Abstract: This invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for treating organic-containing sludges and converting such sludges to high value fertilizers containing both inorganic and organic fertilizer components, which creates an inorganically-augmented bioorganic fertilizer. The invention describes methods to create a thixotropic or paste-like material via the application of mixing energy to the organic sludge followed by an alkaline treatment and a subsequent ammoniation. The invention further describes a method to increase the plant nutrient content in the organic containing product to a level which permits the finished granular fertilizer product to compete in the commercial agricultural fertilizer marketplace. Further, the invention reduces odors associated with said organic-containing sludges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Anuvia Plant Nutrients Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Burnham
  • Publication number: 20150191399
    Abstract: The invention is directed to manufacture of fertilizer having commercial levels of nitrogen supplemented with organic substances. The process treats organic matter with acid causing hydrolysis of organic polymers after which the mix is injected with nitrogen. The resultant sterilized and liquefied organic matter is disbursed over recycled material for the production of granules. Because the process allows for the controlled addition of acids and ammonia, desired levels of components can be achieved. The process is scalable, odor controlled and safe thereby allowing for the location of biosolid processing facilities in most any location. Further, the fertilizer of the invention provides a dual nitrogen-release profile when applied to crops. After application to soil, fertilizer of the invention releases an immediate bolus of nitrogen, similar to traditional ammonium sulfate, followed by continued slow release of nitrogen typically over a season.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: VitAg Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Dahms, James P. Carr, Jeffrey C. Burnham, Barry R. Jarrett