Patents by Inventor Marcus D. Rust

Marcus D. Rust 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: 12082560
    Abstract: An aviary that includes a system for providing litter to birds and for circulating the litter throughout the aviary. A litter distribution chain extends through at least some of the scratching platforms. The litter distribution chain receives litter from a storage container and then transfers the litter through the aviary for use by the birds on the scratching platforms. At least a portion of the litter from one scratching platform is directed to move to a scratching platform on a lower level where the litter may be used by birds occupying this lower level. This circulation pattern repeats on the current level, with the recycled litter being deposited on at least one scratching platform near the next lower aviary tower level. Once the litter reaches the lowest aviary tower level, it remains there until it is removed from the aviary by a belt or other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus D. Rust
  • Patent number: 11846442
    Abstract: A ventilation system for an aviary including at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof. The ventilation system includes a first fan disposed in one of the at least one exterior walls. A plenum is disposed on one of the at least one exterior walls. A second fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum. The present embodiments also provide a method of constructing a ventilation system in an aviary, which aviary includes at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof, a first fan, a plenum, and a second fan. The method includes disposing the first fan in one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the plenum on one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the second fan in flow communication with the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus D. Rust
  • Publication number: 20220046900
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary, a walkway for an aviary, and a walkway system for an aviary. The walkway includes a ramp and at least one support disposed below the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventor: Marcus D. RUST
  • Publication number: 20220030835
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary, a walkway for an aviary, and a walkway system for an aviary. The walkway includes a ramp and at least one support disposed below the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventor: Marcus D. RUST
  • Patent number: 11185053
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary, a walkway for an aviary, and a walkway system for an aviary. The walkway includes a ramp and at least one support disposed below the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ROSE ACRE FARMS, INC.
    Inventor: Marcus D. Rust
  • Publication number: 20210274755
    Abstract: An aviary that includes a system and method for providing litter to birds and for circulating the litter throughout the aviary. A litter distribution chain extends through at least some of the scratching platforms. The litter distribution chain receives litter from a storage container and then transfers the litter through the aviary for use by the birds on the scratching platforms. At least a portion of the litter from one scratching platform is directed to move to a scratching platform on a lower level where the litter may be used by birds occupying this lower level. This circulation pattern repeats on the current level, with the recycled litter being deposited on at least one scratching platform near the next lower aviary tower level. Once the litter reaches the lowest aviary tower level, it remains there until it is removed from the aviary by a belt or other means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventor: Marcus D. RUST
  • Publication number: 20210231341
    Abstract: A ventilation system for an aviary including at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof. The ventilation system includes a first fan disposed in one of the at least one exterior walls. A plenum is disposed on one of the at least one exterior walls. A second fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum. The present embodiments also provide a method of constructing a ventilation system in an aviary, which aviary includes at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof, a first fan, a plenum, and a second fan. The method includes disposing the first fan in one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the plenum on one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the second fan in flow communication with the plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventor: Marcus D. RUST
  • Patent number: 11044892
    Abstract: An aviary that includes a system and method for providing litter to birds and for circulating the litter throughout the aviary. A litter distribution chain extends through at least some of the scratching platforms. The litter distribution chain receives litter from a storage container and then transfers the litter through the aviary for use by the birds on the scratching platforms. At least a portion of the litter from one scratching platform is directed to move to a scratching platform on a lower level where the litter may be used by birds occupying this lower level. This circulation pattern repeats on the current level, with the recycled litter being deposited on at least one scratching platform near the next lower aviary tower level. Once the litter reaches the lowest aviary tower level, it remains there until it is removed from the aviary by a belt or other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus D. Rust
  • Patent number: 11041655
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide a ventilation system for an aviary including at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof. The ventilation system includes a first fan disposed in one of the at least one exterior walls. A plenum is disposed on one of the at least one exterior walls. A second fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum. The present embodiments also provide a method of constructing a ventilation system in an aviary, which aviary includes at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof, a first fan, a plenum, and a second fan. The method includes disposing the first fan in one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the plenum on one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the second fan in flow communication with the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus D. Rust, Joseph M. Dart, David Hurd
  • Patent number: 10779513
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide a method of building an aviary comprising a floor, a roof, a frame, an exterior wall, and a cage tower including a plurality of support members. The method includes disposing the cage tower on the floor. The method also includes attaching the frame to the plurality of support members. The method also includes attaching at least one of the exterior wall and the roof to the frame. The present embodiments also provide an aviary having a cage tower including a plurality of support members. The cage tower is disposed on a floor. A frame is attached to the plurality of support members. At least one of an exterior wall and a roof is attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus D. Rust, Joseph M. Dart, David Hurd
  • Patent number: 10575502
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary that includes a floor, a roof, and at least one wall having a plenum to draw air adjacent the roof down the plenum toward the floor. At least one cage tower is disposed on the floor. At least one walkway is disposed adjacent the at least one cage tower and is configured to facilitate bird access to the at least one cage tower. A fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum to circulate air in the aviary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus D. Rust, Joseph M. Dart, David Hurd
  • Publication number: 20190327941
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary that includes a floor, a roof, and at least one wall having a plenum to draw air adjacent the roof down the plenum toward the floor. At least one cage tower is disposed on the floor. At least one walkway is disposed adjacent the at least one cage tower and is configured to facilitate bird access to the at least one cage tower. A fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum to circulate air in the aviary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Marcus D. Rust, Joseph M. Dart, David Hurd
  • Patent number: 10412936
    Abstract: An aviary includes a cage and a resilient platform coupled to the cage. The resilient platform is resilient such that movement of a bird on the resilient platform causes the resilient platform to flex and then rebound to loosen a deposit from the resilient platform but not permit the deposit to pass through the resilient platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus D. Rust, Robert W. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10375935
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary that includes a floor, a roof, and at least one wall having a plenum to draw air adjacent the roof down the plenum toward the floor. At least one cage tower is disposed on the floor. At least one walkway is disposed adjacent the at least one cage tower and is configured to facilitate bird access to the at least one cage tower. A fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum to circulate air in the aviary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus D. Rust, Joseph M. Dart, David Hurd
  • Patent number: 10064712
    Abstract: A beak trimming device is provided. The device includes a trough operative to receive an avian attractant. The trough has an inner surface. The inner surface includes one or more abrasive surfaces configured to contact and trim a beak of a bird accessing the attractant at the trough. In some embodiments, the attractant is feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus D. Rust, Leslie Ezra
  • Publication number: 20180007869
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary, a walkway for an aviary, and a walkway system for an aviary. The walkway includes a ramp and at least one support disposed below the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventor: Marcus D. Rust
  • Publication number: 20170290303
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary that includes a system and method for providing litter to birds and for circulating the litter throughout the aviary. A litter distribution chain extends through at least some of the scratching platforms. The litter distribution chain receives litter from a storage container and then transfers the litter through the aviary for use by the birds on the scratching platforms. At least a portion of the litter from one scratching platform is directed to move to a scratching platform on a lower level where the litter may be used by birds occupying this lower level. This circulation pattern repeats on the current level, with the recycled litter being deposited on at least one scratching platform near the next lower aviary tower level. Once the litter reaches the lowest aviary tower level, it remains there until it is removed from the aviary by a belt or other means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventor: Marcus D. Rust
  • Publication number: 20170231201
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an aviary is provided, wherein the aviary includes a cage. A resilient platform is positioned adjacent to the cage. In an embodiment, a perch is positioned adjacent to the resilient platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Marcus D. Rust, Robert W. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9723818
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary that includes a cage tower and an egg collector. A cover is positioned over the egg collector and includes an inner end and an outer end. A cover adjustment member is coupled to the cover to reversibly raise one of the inner end and the outer end to a higher position than the other of the inner end and the outer end to facilitate movement of a deposit disposed on the cover toward the lower positioned end. The present embodiments also provide a method of operating an adjustable balcony in an aviary, which aviary includes a cage tower, an egg collector, a cover including an inner end and an outer end, and a deposit. The method includes disposing the cage tower in the aviary, disposing the egg collector on the cage tower, disposing the cover above the egg collector, and disposing the deposit on the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus D. Rust, Joseph M. Dart, David Hurd
  • Patent number: 9538731
    Abstract: An aviary is provided including an aviary cage having a first side, a second side, and a nesting area. The nesting area is positioned between the first side and the second side. A belt extends beneath the nesting area. A grate having a first end and a second end is positioned over the belt. The first end of the grate extends to the first side of the aviary cage, and the second end of the grate extends to the second side of the aviary cage. A first egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the first end of the grate. A second egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the second end of the grate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus D. Rust, David S. Hurd