Patents by Inventor Kevin Grauberger

Kevin Grauberger 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: 20240251726
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for weight measurement of grow towers and/or grow lines with grow towers disposed thereon. In various embodiments, compression type, tension type, and/or beam type load cells may be positioned at various locations within the apparatus to facilitate weight measurement. In one embodiment, a hook, which couples a grow tower to a grow line, includes a tension type load cell disposed between two portions of the hook. The load cell measures force applied thereto which can provide or be translated into a weight measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Damon Smith, Kevin Grauberger, Aunders Hallsten, Gage Coffin
  • Patent number: 11950547
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for weight measurement of grow towers and/or grow lines with grow towers disposed thereon. In various embodiments, compression type, tension type, and/or beam type load cells may be positioned at various locations within the apparatus to facilitate weight measurement. In one embodiment, a hook, which couples a grow tower to a grow line, includes a tension type load cell disposed between two portions of the hook. The load cell measures force applied thereto which can provide or be translated into a weight measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MJNN LLC
    Inventors: Damon Smith, Kevin Grauberger, Aunders Hallsten, Gage Coffin
  • Patent number: 11808621
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus for measuring various characteristics of an indoor agriculture system. In one embodiment, a plug holder weight measurement system includes a plant plug holder disposed in a grow tower and one or more load cells positioned and configured to detect a weight of a plug holder. The load cells may be compression-type, tension-type, torsion-type, or beam-type load cells and each may be integrated into the grow tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MJNN LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Grauberger
  • Patent number: 11796379
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to plant propagation weight measurement apparatus and methods. Load cells are utilized to measure one or more of seedling trays, flood tables, support systems, and combinations thereof. The load cells are integrated in weight measurement systems and configured to enable weight detection of various system components. In certain embodiments, load cells are utilized to measure stationary system components. In other embodiments, load cells are utilized to measure conveyed system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Damon Smith, Kevin Grauberger, Aunders Hallsten
  • Patent number: 10772271
    Abstract: A seedling transplanting system is provided that utilizes a seedling feeder that is configured to fit between a tray of seedlings contained within a series of chain pots and a hydroponic trough. The feeder includes a ramp and a chute that direct the seedlings from the tray into the trough. A pair of guide surfaces, which form ramp sidewalls, help the seedlings to self-right as they are drawn into the hydroponic trough. A restraining jig aids in establishing and maintaining the relative positions of the seedling tray, feeder and trough during the transplanting process. A pulling tool simplifies the transplanting process by providing means for pulling a pair of media strips along with the captured chain pots into the hydroponic trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: MJNN, LLC
    Inventors: Nathaniel R. Storey, Kevin Grauberger, Damon Henry Smith, Jonah Eskin
  • Patent number: 10234125
    Abstract: A lights integrated cooling system for providing environmental temperature controls for indoor growing environments is provided. The indoor growing environment has a predetermined target temperature. The system comprises a frame structure having top and bottom plumbing manifolds. A water cooled light bar is provided having first and second ends with the first end being fluidly connected to the top plumbing manifold and the second end being fluidly connect to the bottom plumbing manifold. A chiller is fluidly connected to the top plumbing manifold, the light bar and the bottom plumbing manifold. An amount of coolant circulates through the chiller, the top plumbing manifold, the light bar, and the bottom manifold. Heat from the light bar is transferred to the coolant thereby raising the temperature of the coolant. The chiller reduces the temperature of the coolant and the coolant leaving the chiller is chilled to a predetermined leaving water temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MJNN, LLC
    Inventors: Damon Henry Smith, Kevin Grauberger
  • Publication number: 20180153113
    Abstract: A seedling transplanting system is provided that utilizes a seedling feeder that is configured to fit between a tray of seedlings contained within a series of chain pots and a hydroponic trough. The feeder includes a ramp and a chute that direct the seedlings from the tray into the trough. A pair of guide surfaces, which form ramp sidewalls, help the seedlings to self-right as they are drawn into the hydroponic trough. A restraining jig aids in establishing and maintaining the relative positions of the seedling tray, feeder and trough during the transplanting process. A pulling tool simplifies the transplanting process by providing means for pulling a pair of media strips along with the captured chain pots into the hydroponic trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: MJNN, LLC
    Inventors: Nathaniel R. Storey, Kevin Grauberger, Damon Henry Smith, Jonah Eskin
  • Publication number: 20180017244
    Abstract: A lights integrated cooling system for providing environmental temperature controls for indoor growing environments is provided. The indoor growing environment has a predetermined target temperature. The system comprises a frame structure having top and bottom plumbing manifolds. A water cooled light bar is provided having first and second ends with the first end being fluidly connected to the top plumbing manifold and the second end being fluidly connect to the bottom plumbing manifold. A chiller is fluidly connected to the top plumbing manifold, the light bar and the bottom plumbing manifold. An amount of coolant circulates through the chiller, the top plumbing manifold, the light bar, and the bottom manifold. Heat from the light bar is transferred to the coolant thereby raising the temperature of the coolant. The chiller reduces the temperature of the coolant and the coolant leaving the chiller is chilled to a predetermined leaving water temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Damon Henry Smith, Kevin Grauberger