Patents by Inventor Juhana Kantola

Juhana Kantola 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: 10842094
    Abstract: A hydroponic growing system including an elongated trough. The trough includes at least a first side wall, an opposite second side wall, and a bottom wall, which all extend in the longitudinal direction of the trough and delimit a space in the centre of the trough, open at the top. The trough also includes a partition wall structure extending in the longitudinal direction of the trough and dividing said central space into two adjacent elongated grooves which are open at the top and into which one or more substrates can be placed for the cultivation of plants. In an example, the partition wall structure includes an elongated overflow channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove and guides the irrigation water past the grooves. The overflow channel may be arranged in an elevated position with respect to the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GREEN AUTOMATION EXPORT OY
    Inventors: Juhana Kantola, Tero Rapila
  • Publication number: 20180064046
    Abstract: A hydroponic growing system including an elongated trough. The trough includes at least a first side wall, an opposite second side wall, and a bottom wall, which all extend in the longitudinal direction of the trough and delimit a space in the centre of the trough, open at the top. The trough also includes a partition wall structure extending in the longitudinal direction of the trough and dividing said central space into two adjacent elongated grooves which are open at the top and into which one or more substrates can be placed for the cultivation of plants. In an example, the partition wall structure includes an elongated overflow channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove and guides the irrigation water past the grooves. The overflow channel may be arranged in an elevated position with respect to the bottom wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: GREEN AUTOMATION EXPORT OY
    Inventors: Juhana KANTOLA, Tero RAPILA
  • Patent number: 9795089
    Abstract: A system for the cultivation of plants, including: a cultivation table, in which the plants to be cultivated have been placed at least for the time of the growing stage; growing substrates in which the seeds of the plant are sown and which are placed at the initial end of the cultivation table for germination; and elongated troughs which hold the growing substrates in which troughs also the seeds and seedlings of the plant as well as the grown plants are placed during both said germination and said growing stage. In the method for cultivation of plants in a greenhouse, a growing substrate for the cultivation of plants is placed in an elongated trough, and seeds of a plant are sown in said growing substrate placed in the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: GREEN AUTOMATION EXPORT OY
    Inventors: Juhana Kantola, Tero Rapila, Timo Rapila
  • Publication number: 20140115960
    Abstract: A system for the cultivation of plants, including: a cultivation table, in which the plants to be cultivated have been placed at least for the time of the growing stage; growing substrates in which the seeds of the plant are sown and which are placed at the initial end of the cultivation table for germination; and elongated troughs which hold the growing substrates in which troughs also the seeds and seedlings of the plant as well as the grown plants are placed during both said germination and said growing stage. In the method for cultivation of plants in a greenhouse, a growing substrate for the cultivation of plants is placed in an elongated trough, and seeds of a plant are sown in said growing substrate placed in the trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GREEN AUTOMATION EXPORT OY
    Inventors: Juhana Kantola, Tero Rapila, Timo Rapila
  • Patent number: 8033087
    Abstract: An apparatus for picking mushrooms including a carriage, at least one picking head arranged to move back and forth horizontally, and a suction pad apparatus configured to grip mushrooms for picking. A movable camera or scanner may be arranged to image an area in which the mushrooms grow. A first member may be coupled to the picking head and arranged to move back and forth horizontally for moving the suction pad apparatus horizontally. A controlled parallelogram mechanism may lift and lower the suction pad apparatus and couple the suction pad apparatus to the first member, and which may be arranged to maintain a position of the suction pad apparatus irrespective of a height on which the suction pad apparatus is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Green Automation Ltd Oy
    Inventors: Timo Rapila, Juhana Kantola, Tero Rapila
  • Patent number: 7661920
    Abstract: A method and a storage and manipulation system for manipulating and transferring cassettes used for storage. The system includes a rack for storing cassettes. The rack includes supports on which the cassette rests. A transfer device includes a slide, onto which the cassette can be transferred. The slide includes a lifting and lowering movement. The transfer device also includes grippers that grip the cassette and moving it onto or off the slide. The slide can be placed underneath the front part of the cassette and, by a lifting movement, elevate the front part of the cassette such that the cassette can be transferred along the support onto the slide. A rear part of the cassette is simultaneously supported by the support. The slide can also lower the front part of the cassette onto the support when the rear part of the cassette is transferred onto the support of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fastems Oy AB
    Inventors: Juhana Kantola, Tero Rapila, Teppo Halkola, Vesa Raevaara, Jyrki Kortesmäki
  • Publication number: 20090320430
    Abstract: An apparatus for picking mushrooms including a carriage, at least one picking head arranged to move back and forth horizontally, and a suction pad apparatus configured to grip mushrooms for picking. A movable camera or scanner may be arranged to image an area in which the mushrooms grow. A first member may be coupled to the picking head and arranged to move back and forth horizontally for moving the suction pad apparatus horizontally. A controlled parallelogram mechanism may lift and lower the suction pad apparatus and couple the suction pad apparatus to the first member, and which may be arranged to maintain a position of the suction pad apparatus irrespective of a height on which the suction pad apparatus is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: GREEN AUTOMATION LTD OY
    Inventors: Timo Rapila, Juhana Kantola, Tero Rapila
  • Publication number: 20050232730
    Abstract: A method, as well as a storage and manipulation system for manipulating and transferring cassettes used for storage, which system comprises a rack for storing cassettes, equipped with supports on which the cassette rests and along which the cassette is transferred, as well as a transfer device which is equipped with: a slide, onto which the cassette can be transferred and which can be transferred in the horizontal direction and which is provided with a lifting and lowering movement; and grippers with the function of gripping the cassette and moving it onto or off the slide. The slide is arranged to be placed underneath the front part of the cassette and, by means of a lifting movement, to elevate the front part of the cassette in such a way that the cassette can be transferred along the slide onto the slide, its rear part being simultaneously supported by the support of the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: FASTEMS OY OB
    Inventors: Juhana Kantola, Tero Rapila, Teppo Halkola, Vesa Raevaara, Jyrki Kortesmaki
  • Publication number: 20050053450
    Abstract: A method and a system utilizing the same, comprising two or more stacker cranes, of which each is intended to transfer at least one load independently, comprising a horizontally movable driving carriage and a lifting carriage arranged therein and intended for the manipulation and vertical transfer of said load. At least two stacker cranes are arranged to move, when necessary, to such a relative position in which it is possible to manipulate and transfer a load resting on the support of both lifting carriages simultaneously and to perform the movements of the driving carriages and the lifting carriages in a synchronized manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Applicant: Fastems Oy Ab
    Inventors: Juhana Kantola, Matti Nurminen, Juhani Rantalainen, Tero Rapila, Jari Tikkala
  • Patent number: 6556888
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system of pallets for handling of work pieces. Said system is ready-fitted in one or more freight containers. Preferably, it is arranged to be coupled as a part of an automatic manufacturing system. It can comprise a loading station to be conveyed inside the freight container, which is arranged to be connected outside said freight container for reception and delivery of work pieces. The system contains at least a shelving structure arranged inside the freight container and comprising several storage locations, a lift and transfer apparatus and a control system, which is arranged for maintaining and monitoring of material management and production plans, for controlling the transfers and for data transmission between said control system and another manufacturing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Fastems Oy AB
    Inventor: Juhana Kantola
  • Publication number: 20010056312
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system of pallets for handling of work pieces. Said system is ready-fitted in one or more freight containers. Preferably, it is arranged to be coupled as a part of an automatic manufacturing system. It can comprise a loading station to be conveyed inside the freight container, which is arranged to be connected outside said freight container for reception and delivery of work pieces. The system contains at least a shelving structure arranged inside the freight container and comprising several storage locations, a lift and transfer apparatus and a control system, which is arranged for maintaining and monitoring of material management and production plans, for controlling the transfers and for data transmission between said control system and another manufacturing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Juhana Kantola
  • Patent number: 6332526
    Abstract: The invention relates to a loading station for receiving and delivering workpieces (WP), which loading station (L) comprises a table (3) arranged to be movable between a first position (S1) and a second position (S2) to support changing workpieces (WP) and for transferring them between said positions (S1, S2), and at least a first protective door (1) which is arranged to be transferred between said positions (S1, S2) to separate them from each other when the table (3) is in its second position (S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Fastems Oy AB
    Inventor: Juhana Kantola
  • Publication number: 20010029970
    Abstract: A washing and rinsing station intended for treatment of work pieces fastened onto a pallet. The station comprises a pallet table which is arranged to receive and deliver the pallet and to lock it at its place, wherein the pallet table is connected to a rotation axle for turning the work piece by inclining it away from the change position and to the treatment position. At least one pallet table is further connected on said rotation axle in a manner that said pallet tables swivel around the rotation axle at the same time and in the same direction along a circular route, when one pallet table is turned from the change position to the treatment position for washing, cleaning and drainage, wherein another pallet table is arranged at the same time to turn from the treatment position to the change position for a pallet change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Juhana Kantola