Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Torgerson

Kevin L. Torgerson 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: 20150173320
    Abstract: A safety valve device for a milking installation for milking milk-producing animals having a first valve with a first port and with a first port connector, a second valve with a second port and with a second port connector, a third valve with a third port and a third port connector, a drive, a common actuator, and at least one valve spring, and arranged so that the first port connector of the first valve is in fluid communication with the second port connector of the second valve, and the safety valve device can be moved between a first switching position, in which the first valve and the second valve are closed in order to block the first port and the second port and the third valve, is open a transition position, in which the first valve, the second valve and the third valve are closed, and a second switching position, in which the first valve and the second valve are open to connect the first port to the second port and the third valve is closed to block the third port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Reinhold Balkenhol, Jake Kallenbach, Matthew J. Stuessel, Kevin L. Torgerson
  • Publication number: 20150164036
    Abstract: A milker unit liner dome having an inner surface and flow diverters joined to the inner surface to redirect teat dip from an inlet to provide more uniform coverage of dip on a teat. The liner dome can also include more than one flow diverter for redirecting teat dip flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Duane F. Sellner
  • Publication number: 20150107687
    Abstract: A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin L Torgerson, Nathan Hedlund, Matthew J Stuessel
  • Publication number: 20150096498
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a dairy harvesting facility including valves and valve assemblies that prevent contaminants from reaching a central milk collection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Duane F. Sellner
  • Patent number: 8991335
    Abstract: A milker unit liner dome having an inner surface and flow diverters joined to the inner surface to redirect teat dip from an inlet to provide more uniform coverage of dip on a teat. The liner dome can also include more than one flow diverter for redirecting teat dip flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Duane F. Sellner
  • Patent number: 8925493
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for applying bovine foot and hoof treatment compositions having two or more specific and complimentary antimicrobial components in a hoof bath just prior to use to work more effectively. These antimicrobial components may include antimicrobial inorganic salts of certain heavy metals, cationic agents, peroxides, aldehydes, fatty acids, iodines or other suitable compounds effective in the killing of microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Robert L. Buck, Nathan Hedlund, Sue Mendell, Randal D. Stevenson, Charles D. Gradle, Alejandro O. Dee, Jeffrey S. Hanson, Glenn Gingrich
  • Patent number: 8925483
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a dairy harvesting facility including valves and valve assemblies that prevent contaminants from reaching a central milk collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Duane F. Sellner
  • Publication number: 20140283751
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are used at the end of a dairy animal milking process to stop milking pulsation in an off position and then applying a teat dip into a milker unit teat cup liner to improve dip coverage on the teat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Buck, Kevin L. Torgerson, Matthew J. Stuessel
  • Patent number: 8770146
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are used at the end of a dairy animal milking process to stop milking pulsation in an off position and then applying a teat dip into a milker unit teat cup liner to improve dip coverage on the teat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Buck, Kevin L. Torgerson, Matthew J. Stuessel
  • Patent number: 8590486
    Abstract: A safety valve for use in a dairy backflushing and dipping system. The safety valve is situated on or near a milker unit to seal and protect downstream dairy milk lines from teat dip and cleaning fluids that are fed through the safety valve to upstream milker unit components. All of the fluids, including dip, cleansers, water, and air pass through and are controlled by the safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Nathan Hedlund, Matthew J. Stuessel
  • Publication number: 20130263788
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are used at the end of a dairy animal milking process to stop milking pulsation in an off position and then applying a teat dip into a milker unit teat cup liner to improve dip coverage on the teat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Buck, Kevin L. Torgerson, Matthew J. Stuessel
  • Patent number: 8528500
    Abstract: A method for applying teat dip to a dairy animal and backflushing a milker unit using a safety valve. The method includes the steps of: closing the safety valve to seal off the milker unit from a dairy pipeline system, forcing teat dip through the safety valve and a dip channel to a teat dip applicator on a milker unit teat cup, forcing backflush fluid through the safety valve and the milker unit, forcing water through the safety valve and milker unit, forcing air through the safety valve and the milker unit, and opening the safety valve so that the milker unit is in fluid communication with the dairy pipeline system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Nathan Hedlund, Matthew J. Stuessel
  • Publication number: 20130118611
    Abstract: A safety valve for use in a dairy backflushing and dipping system. The safety valve is situated on or near a milker unit to seal and protect downstream dairy milk lines from teat dip and cleaning fluids that are fed through the safety valve to upstream milker unit components. All of the fluids, including dip, cleansers, water, and air pass through and are controlled by the safety valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Nathan Hedlund, Matthew J. Stuessel
  • Patent number: 8342125
    Abstract: A safety valve for use in a dairy backflushing and dipping system. The safety valve is situated on or near a milker unit to seal and protect downstream dairy milk lines from teat dip and cleaning fluids that are fed through the safety valve to upstream milker unit components. All of the fluids, including dip, cleansers, water, and air pass through and are controlled by the safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Nathan Hedlund, Matthew J. Stuessel
  • Patent number: 8336502
    Abstract: A dipping device for a milking system, especially for an automatic milking system designed as a milking robot with teat cups to be placed onto the teats of an animal to be milked, which is designed for contacting the teats of the animal with at least one fluid or several fluids, and the device has several dipping valve arrangements so that the dipping agent introduction to each teat of the animal can be controlled separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schulze Wilmert, Reinhard Frenser, Michael Austermann, Christelle Theis, Kevin L. Torgerson
  • Publication number: 20120192805
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for applying bovine foot and hoof treatment compositions having two or more specific and complimentary antimicrobial components in a hoof bath just prior to use to work more effectively. These antimicrobial components may include antimicrobial inorganic salts of certain heavy metals, cationic agents, peroxides, aldehydes, fatty acids, iodines or other suitable compounds effective in the killing of microorganisms. The invention also relates to a foot bath system for delivery, retention, and drainage of foot bath chemicals and waste material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Robert L. Buck, Nathan Hedlund, Sue Mendell, Randal D. Stevenson, Charles D. Gradle, Alejandro O. Dee, Jeffrey S. Hanson, Glenn Gingrich
  • Publication number: 20120118238
    Abstract: A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Nathan Hedlund, Matthew J. Stuessel
  • Publication number: 20120118237
    Abstract: A method for applying teat dip to a dairy animal and backflushing a milker unit using a safety valve. The method includes the steps of: closing the safety valve to seal off the milker unit from a dairy pipeline system, forcing teat dip through the safety valve and a dip channel to a teat dip applicator on a milker unit teat cup, forcing backflush fluid through the safety valve and the milker unit, forcing water through the safety valve and milker unit, forcing air through the safety valve and the milker unit, and opening the safety valve so that the milker unit is in fluid communication with the dairy pipeline system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Nathan Hedlund, Matthew J. Stuessel
  • Publication number: 20120111275
    Abstract: A milker unit liner dome having an inner surface and flow diverters joined to the inner surface to redirect teat dip from an inlet to provide more uniform coverage of dip on a teat. The liner dome can also include more than one flow diverter for redirecting teat dip flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Duane F. Sellner
  • Publication number: 20120097107
    Abstract: The present invention relates to preparing dairy animal teats for being milked, and more particularly to teat preparation, rinsing, and milking that all take place in a milking machine teat cup liner. Such a method includes: applying a teat sanitizer to the teat; injecting air into the liner to force the teat sanitizer toward a waste milk line connected to the liner; pulsating the liner at a first pulsation rate; drawing a rinsing milk from the teat; directing the teat sanitizer, the air, and the rinsing fluid to the waste milk line; pulsating the liner at a second pulsation rate to draw additional milk from the teat; and directing the additional milk to a good milk line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Duane F. Sellner