Patents by Inventor John A. Willener

John A. Willener 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: 6115954
    Abstract: A collection assembly for harvesting brine shrimp eggs from a body of water is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as comprising a base member which may be positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation, means for extracting the brine shrimp eggs from the body of water, and means for positioning the extraction means such that the extraction means is at least three inches vertically from the base member. In one presently preferred embodiment, the collection assembly includes a back wall positioned at an angle to the base member. The back wall may be connected to and positioned substantially perpendicular to the base member so as to form an L-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventors: John A. Willener, John A. Willener, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6073382
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for harvesting brine shrimp eggs from a body of water involving the use of an elongated member comprising buoyant material which enables the elongated member to float at or near the surface of the body of water and a water-permeable member positioned downwardly from the elongated member so as to enable the water-permeable member to be positioned below the surface of the body of water. The water-permeable member is configured so as to be substantially impermeable to brine shrimp eggs and substantially prevents brine shrimp eggs from escaping harvest as the apparatus is moved through the body of water to collect the brine shrimp eggs. In one presently preferred embodiment, the water-permeable member comprises a porous screen. One or more reinforcement members may also be included to protect the porous screen from tearing, puncture, or other damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: John A. Willener
  • Patent number: 5890311
    Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting and cleaning brine shrimp eggs on the open water is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as comprising a buoyant support frame having a collection assembly operably disposed in relation thereto. A concentration member provides a means for collecting a naturally occurring mixture of brine shrimp eggs and debris floating at or near the surface of a body of water. The concentration member provides means for concentrating the mixture of brine shrimp eggs and debris into a concentrated egg/debris mud mixture having a general thickness of about 7.5 cm to 45 cm (3 inches to 18 inches). Engageably disposed in relation to the collection assembly, an extraction apparatus provides a means for transporting the concentrated egg/debris mud mixture introduced into the collection assembly to a filtering/cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventors: John A. Willener, John A. Willener, Jr.