Patents by Inventor Keith F. Woodruff

Keith F. Woodruff 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: 9155293
    Abstract: An insect control device for attracting and capturing insects includes a base; and a resonator column that is in the form of a hollow tube having an open first end and an open second end. The first end is coupled to the base such that the resonator column stands upright therefrom. The second end is substantially open when the resonator column is coupled to the base. The resonator column is constructed and sized and shaped to resonate as a result of natural movements of insects captured on the resonator column resulting in sounds emanating from the captured insects being amplified by the resonator column which in turn serves to attract additional insects to the resonator column. The resonator column is free of electronic components and sound that is generated for attracting insects is generated without electronic components and is a natural sound amplified by the resonator column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: BUGJAMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Lantz S. Crawley, Keith F. Woodruff, J. Roy Nelson
  • Publication number: 20150020437
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an insect control device for attracting and capturing insects includes a base; and a resonator column that is in the form of a hollow tube having an open first end and an open second end. The first end is coupled to the base such that the resonator column stands upright therefrom. The second end is substantially open when the resonator column is coupled to the base. The resonator column is constructed and sized and shaped to resonate as a result of natural movements of insects captured on the resonator column resulting in sounds emanating from the captured insects being amplified by the resonator column which in turn serves to attract additional insects to the resonator column. An internal light source is provided within the interior of the resonator column for attracting insects at night.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Lantz S. Crawley, Keith F. Woodruff, J. Roy Nelson
  • Patent number: 8677679
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an ampoule for the storage and dispersion of a volatile liquid comprised of (a) an outer shell composed of an impermeable material and defining at least one opening; (b) a porous diffusion member defining an internal reservoir positioned inside said outer shell; (c) a volatile liquid contained within such internal reservoir; and (d) a film member adhered to the outer shell and covering the at least one opening; wherein the film member is disposed such that an air space is present between the porous diffusion member and the film member; and wherein the porous diffusion member is configured such that molecules of the volatile liquid can only enter into the air space via diffusion through the porous diffusion member. Such ampoules are particularly suited for the storage and dispersion of organic chemicals useful as bed bug attractants, such as a C8-C12 alkane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce C. Black, Shreya J. Shah, Linda A. Varanyak, Keith F. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20130025184
    Abstract: An insect control device for attracting and capturing insects includes a base; and a resonator column that is in the form of a hollow tube having an open first end and an open second end. The first end is coupled to the base such that the resonator column stands upright therefrom. The second end is substantially open when the resonator column is coupled to the base. The resonator column is constructed and sized and shaped to resonate as a result of natural movements of insects captured on the resonator column resulting in sounds emanating from the captured insects being amplified by the resonator column which in turn serves to attract additional insects to the resonator column. The resonator column is free of electronic components and sound that is generated for attracting insects is generated without electronic components and is a natural sound amplified by the resonator column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Bugjammer, Inc.
    Inventors: Lantz S. Crawley, Keith F. Woodruff, J. Roy Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120110894
    Abstract: A bed bug monitor and/or capture device includes a housing defining a substantially enclosed interior space and a deadfall trap; a harborage element mounted adjacent the deadfall trap that defines at least one pathway through which bed bugs can travel; at least one bed bug attractant element positioned within the interior space of the housing; and at least one opening defined in at least one wall of the housing at a location either on or adjacent the deadfall trap and/or the harborage element, wherein fumes emanating from the bed bug attractant element can escape through the at least one opening to a location outside of the device in order to lure bed bugs toward the deadfall trap and the harborage element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: FMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce C. Black, Shreya Sheth, Linda Varanyak, Keith F. Woodruff, Michael J. Engram, Amelie H. Riendl, Joseph Pruitt, Jerry V. Foster, Donald A. Muntner, Erica Knight, James Noah McNeely, David Nelson Jackson
  • Publication number: 20110072712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bed bug capturing device comprising: (a) a bed bug attractant element comprising (i) a heavier than air organic chemical which attracts bed bugs; and (ii) a means for producing air flow such that the air movement from the device has a face velocity of between about 5 and about 50 ml/cm2/min; and (b) a trap element. Preferably, such means of producing air flow is a fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce C. Black, Shreya J. Shah, Linda A. Varanyak, Keith F. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20110072711
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an ampoule for the storage and dispersion of a volatile liquid comprised of (a) an outer shell composed of an impermeable material and defining at least one opening; (b) a porous diffusion member defining an internal reservoir positioned inside said outer shell; (c) a volatile liquid contained within such internal reservoir; and (d) a film member adhered to said outer shell and covering said at least one opening; wherein said film member is disposed such that an air space is present between said porous diffusion member and said film member; and wherein said porous diffusion member is configured such that molecules of the volatile liquid can only enter into said air space via diffusion through said porous diffusion member. Such ampoules are particularly suited for the storage and dispersion of organic chemicals useful as bed bug attractants, especially where such attractants are formulated in a highly volatile liquid, such as a C8-C12 alkane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce C. Black, Shreya J. Shah, Linda A. Varanyak, Keith F. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20110047860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bed bug capturing device comprising: (a) a bed bug attractant element; and (b) a deadfall capturing element comprising at least one pathway comprising: (i) an upwardly sloped segment; (ii) a downwardly sloped segment having an outer portion; and (iii) a deadfall trap area: characterized in that the upwardly sloped segment and at least the outer portion of the downwardly sloped segment possesses an average surface roughness of at least about 2.5 micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: FMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce C. Black, Shreya J. Shah, Linda A. Varanyak, Keith F. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 7604034
    Abstract: A tape dispenser includes a rotatable support for a tape roll, a rotatable applicator roll, and a swing gate for guiding tape to be dispensed from the tape roll to the applicator roll. The dispenser also includes a cutting element for severing predetermined lengths of tape from the tape roll. A locking element for releasably locking the applicator roll in a stationary position is selectively activated by a trigger to enable the dispensed tape to be firmly applied to a workpiece and to enable the cutting element to more evenly and firmly engage and sever tape from the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 7073546
    Abstract: A container for use in a closed application system includes a valve mounted to a discharge opening of the container and rotatable with the container for controlling the discharge of material from the container. The valve includes an element for engaging corresponding structure in a receptacle for receiving the contents of the container. The element engages and locks the valve in the receptacle when the valve is opened and the contents are being discharged from the container into the receptacle. The valve element and the corresponding structure on the receptacle cooperate so that the container can only be received in and removed from the receptacle when the valve is closed. In this manner, the contents in the container can be discharged only when the container is received within the receptacle and the container is rotated in a direction to open the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6851634
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing chemical material, and in particular, granular, agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. A metering system for dispersing the material includes on apertured metering disk positioned above a rotatable impeller. The apertured disk meters material from a product container, by gravity feed, onto the impeller below at a rate proportional to the linear speed at which the apparatus is driven to dispense material at a uniform density over the terrain. The metering disk is a component of a product container which is removably mounted to the device. The impeller rotates at a constant speed to disperse the deposited material at a uniform distance from the apparatus, and the position on which the material is deposited on the impeller is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Akteingesellschaft
    Inventors: Keith F. Woodruff, John H. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040187959
    Abstract: A container for use in a closed application system includes a valve mounted to a discharge opening of the container and rotatable with the container for controlling the discharge of material from the container. The valve includes an element for engaging corresponding structure in a receptacle for receiving the contents of the container. The element engages and locks the valve in the receptacle when the valve is opened and the contents are being discharged from the container into the receptacle. The valve element and the corresponding structure on the receptacle cooperate so that the container can only be received in and removed from the receptacle when the valve is closed. In this manner, the contents in the container can be discharged only when the container is received within the receptacle and the container is rotated in a direction to open the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6732772
    Abstract: A container for use in a closed application system includes a valve mounted to a discharge opening of the container and rotatable with the container for controlling the discharge of material from the container. The valve includes an element for engaging corresponding structure in a receptacle for receiving the contents of the container. The element engages and locks the valve in the receptacle when the valve is opened and the contents are being discharged from the container into the receptacle. The valve element and the corresponding structure on the receptacle cooperate so that the container can only be received in and removed from the receptacle when the valve is closed. In this manner, the contents in the container can be discharged only when the container is received within the receptacle and the container is rotated in a direction to open the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20030197077
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing chemical. material, and in particular, granular, agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. A metering system for dispersing the material includes on apertured metering disk positioned above a rotatable impeller. The apertured disk meters material from a product container, by gravity feed, onto the impeller below at a rate proportional to the linear speed at which the apparatus is driven to dispense material at a uniform density over the terrain. The metering disk is a component of a product container which is removably mounted to the device. The impeller rotates at a constant speed to disperse the deposited material at a uniform distance from the apparatus, and the position on which the material is deposited on the impeller is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Keith F. Woodruff, John H. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030188800
    Abstract: A container for use in a closed application system includes a valve mounted to a discharge opening of the container and rotatable with the container for controlling the discharge of material from the container. The valve includes an element for engaging corresponding structure in a receptacle for receiving the contents of the container. The element engages and locks the valve in the receptacle when the valve is opened and the contents are being discharged from the container into the receptacle. The valve element and the corresponding structure on the receptacle cooperate so that the container can only be received in and removed from the receptacle when the valve is closed. In this manner, the contents in the container can be discharged only when the container is received within the receptacle and the container is rotated in a direction to open the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6625927
    Abstract: A plant container has a semi-spherical opened top cup-shaped receptacle permanently attached to a vertical back panel. The cup and back panel form a pocket for retaining soil for a plant. The back panel has at least one opening for receiving a mounting element, such as a suction cup, for removably mounting the container to a vertical supporting surface, as for example, a window pane. The back panel also defines a reservoir for water and openings in communication with the receptacle for watering a plant received in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6619938
    Abstract: A pump has a rotor with two or more flexible vanes forming one or more compartments between adjacent vanes. The rotor is mounted offset relative to a rotor sleeve such that the volume of the compartments varies as the rotor rotates in the sleeve. Incoming fluid is supplied to the compartments along a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the vanes. Fluid is discharged from the compartments through discharge slots in the sleeve leading into a discharge outlet which is tangential relative to the plane of rotation of the vanes. Each flexible vane is formed from at least two thin leaf springs separated by a layer of laminate and joined to a shoe which engages the inner surface of the sleeve as the rotor rotates. The pump in accordance with the present invention is energy efficient and uses significantly less power than comparable known devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20030159351
    Abstract: A plant container has a semi-spherical opened top cup-shaped receptacle permanently attached to a vertical back panel. The cup and back panel form a pocket for retaining soil for a plant. The back panel has at least one opening for receiving a mounting element, such as a suction cup, for removably mounting the container to a vertical supporting surface, as for example, a window pane. The back panel also defines a reservoir for water and openings in communication with the receptacle for watering a plant received in the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6588685
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing chemical material, and in particular, granular, agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. A metering system for dispersing the material includes on apertured metering disk positioned above a rotatable impeller. The apertured disk meters material from a product container, by gravity feed, onto the impeller below at a rate proportional to the linear speed at which the apparatus is driven to dispense material at a uniform density over the terrain. The metering disk is a component of a product container which is removably mounted to the device. The impeller rotates at a constant speed to disperse the deposited material at a uniform distance from the apparatus, and the position on which the material is deposited on the impeller is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Keith F. Woodruff, John H. Thomas
  • Patent number: D506039
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff