Patents by Inventor Leo Lehto

Leo Lehto 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).

  • Method and device for improving the transplanting of seedlings
    Patent number: 6080951
    Abstract: A method and device for improving the efficiency of mechanical transplanting, wherein seedling balls carrying no seedlings or undersize seedlings are automatically removed prior to the planting stage. Several seedling balls are simultaneously extracted from a common cultivation tray and deficient balls are detected and removed. The deficit caused by a removed seedling ball is compensated by momentarily increasing the rate of feeding balls from the tray. No separate replacement seedling supply is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Lannen Tehtaat Oy
    Inventors: Bert Thijssen, Leo Lehto, Altti Keskilohko
  • Method and device for planting balled seedlings
    Patent number: 4893571
    Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic method for planting balled seedlings grown in container trays. According to this invention, the balled seedling (7) is removed from the container by taking hold of it from the top with a fork-like gripping element (16) and transferring it into the ground. For this, a gripping prong (16) which remains in position at the gripping stage and into which the seedling is pushed is used. The seedlings can be planted without breakage or problems and in the correct position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Lannen Tehtaat Oy
    Inventors: Reijo Hakli, Leo Lehto, Esa Lehto