Patents by Inventor Richard L. Rice

Richard L. Rice 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: 20240292778
    Abstract: A system for dispensing agricultural products includes at least one source of agricultural product; at least one agricultural product tube, a seed sensing device, a metering system, and a sensor assembly. At least one agricultural product tube is connected to the source of agricultural product. The seed sensing device is configured to control the delivery of the agricultural product. The metering system is coupled to at least one agricultural product tube and to the seed sensing device and is configured to synchronize the placement of agricultural product relative to the placement of seed. A sensor assembly includes a signal conditioning circuit. The signal conditioning circuit is configured to provide an output signal representing an indication of the presence of the agricultural product. At least one seed for use in determining the synchronized placement of seed and the agricultural product in correct proximity with one another in a seed furrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: RICHARD L. RICE, LARRY M. CONRAD
  • Patent number: 12048265
    Abstract: A system for dispensing low rate agricultural products, includes a syringe-based agricultural product metering system, at least one agricultural product tube, and an agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is operably connected to a source of low rate agricultural products. The agricultural product tube is operatively connected to the agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is configured to dispense liquid low rate agricultural products at a low rate defined as below 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Woodruff, Richard L. Rice, Larry M. Conrad
  • Patent number: 11991945
    Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes a control system; a seed transport mechanism; an agricultural product supply system; and, a seed brush assembly. The seed transport mechanism is affixed to a seed planter row unit. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense agricultural products in response to an output signal from the control system. A brush housing structure of the seed brush assembly receives seed from the seed transport mechanism. A brush of the seed brush assembly has bristles positioned within the brush housing structure. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense the liquid agricultural products onto the bristles. The bristles are configured to minimize the resistance associated with the passage of seed past the wetted bristles. The liquid agricultural product is transferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed is dispensed prior to the seed hitting the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard L. Rice, Larry M. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20240099178
    Abstract: A system and method that automatically monitors product use, such as the type and amount of agricultural and/or horticultural product stored in and dispensed from a cartridge over time and/or by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on the cartridge and may be transmitted to a server for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may be authenticated before being authorized for use for the benefit of a current user in dispensing the product. The cartridge may be refilled after confirmation of authorization codes on the cartridge and refilling equipment tags. The cartridge may be calibrated automatically based on the bulk density or other parameter of the product in the cartridge. Data may be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically. As-applied data from individual cartridges may be used to verify, independent of operator input, treated area coverage and product application rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Eric Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John Richardson
  • Patent number: 11864485
    Abstract: A system and method that automatically monitors product use, such as the type and amount of agricultural and/or horticultural product stored in and dispensed from a cartridge over time and/or by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on the cartridge and may be transmitted to a server for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may be authenticated before being authorized for use for the benefit of a current user in dispensing the product. The cartridge may be refilled after confirmation of authorization codes on the cartridge and refilling equipment tags. The cartridge may be calibrated automatically based on the bulk density or other parameter of the product in the cartridge. Data may be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically. As-applied data from individual cartridges may be used to verify, independent of operator input, treated area coverage and product application rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: AMVAC Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20230384132
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for use in synchronizing seed placement and the dispensing of liquid agricultural product during planting. The sensor assembly includes a signal conditioning circuit configured to provide an output signal representing an indication of the presence of liquid agricultural product and seed for use in determining the synchronization of the seed placement with the dispensing of the liquid agricultural product. The presence of both a seed mass component and a liquid mass component of the output signal defines a package mass. The output signal has a pre-defined value and is transmitted to a controller to determine whether there is an error. The controller is configured to generate an error signal that is capable of being displayable on a remote display/user interface system that can be monitored by the system operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: LARRY M. CONRAD, RICHARD L. RICE
  • Patent number: 11825763
    Abstract: A system and method that automatically monitors product use, such as the type and amount of agricultural and/or horticultural product stored in and dispensed from a cartridge over time and/or by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on the cartridge and may be transmitted to a server for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may be authenticated before being authorized for use for the benefit of a current user in dispensing the product. The cartridge may be refilled after confirmation of authorization codes on the cartridge and refilling equipment tags. The cartridge may be calibrated automatically based on the bulk density or other parameter of the product in the cartridge. Data may be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically. As-applied data from individual cartridges may be used to verify, independent of operator input, treated area coverage and product application rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: AMVAC Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
  • Patent number: 11793102
    Abstract: A system and method that automatically monitors product use, such as the type and amount of agricultural and/or horticultural product stored in and dispensed from a cartridge over time and/or by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on the cartridge and may be transmitted to a server for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may be authenticated before being authorized for use for the benefit of a current user in dispensing the product. The cartridge may be refilled after confirmation of authorization codes on the cartridge and refilling equipment tags. The cartridge may be calibrated automatically based on the bulk density or other parameter of the product in the cartridge. Data may be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically. As-applied data from individual cartridges may be used to verify, independent of operator input, treated area coverage and product application rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: AMVAC Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
  • Patent number: 11740111
    Abstract: A supply tube assembly for measuring a liquid agricultural product application rate. An upstream portion of a supply tube has an upstream portion outlet end. A downstream portion has a downstream portion inlet end. The sensor body assembly includes a sensor body, a first sensing plate, and a second sensing plate. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive an inlet flow of the liquid agricultural product from the upstream portion and a sensor outlet end positioned to receive an outlet flow of the liquid agricultural product. The sensor body is an enclosure having a cross sectional area larger than the cross sectional area of the upstream portion of the supply tube and the downstream portion of the supply tube. Electronic components are configured to measure the liquid agricultural product application rate between the first sensing plate and the second sensing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Larry M. Conrad, Richard L. Rice
  • Publication number: 20230247930
    Abstract: A system and method that automatically monitors product use, such as the type and amount of agricultural and/or horticultural product stored in and dispensed from a cartridge over time and/or by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on the cartridge and may be transmitted to a server for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may be authenticated before being authorized for use for the benefit of a current user in dispensing the product. The cartridge may be refilled after confirmation of authorization codes on the cartridge and refilling equipment tags. The cartridge may be calibrated automatically based on the bulk density or other parameter of the product in the cartridge. Data may be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically. As-applied data from individual cartridges may be used to verify, independent of operator input, treated area coverage and product application rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20230247929
    Abstract: A system and method that automatically monitors product use, such as the type and amount of agricultural and/or horticultural product stored in and dispensed from a cartridge over time and/or by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on the cartridge and may be transmitted to a server for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may be authenticated before being authorized for use for the benefit of a current user in dispensing the product. The cartridge may be refilled after confirmation of authorization codes on the cartridge and refilling equipment tags. The cartridge may be calibrated automatically based on the bulk density or other parameter of the product in the cartridge. Data may be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically. As-applied data from individual cartridges may be used to verify, independent of operator input, treated area coverage and product application rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20220240434
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to collect and store data related to product stored in a container. In response to filling the container with the product, the following data are stored in at least one first record in an external database (such as a distributed ledger, e.g., blockchain): a product type of the first product; an amount of the first product filled into the first container; a unique identity of the first container; and a unique identity of a first user of the first container at the time of filling the first container with the first product. Data representing a unique identity of a container data module on the container are stored in the container data module. As the container moves, dispenses product, and undergoes changes in possession and ownership, data representing such events are stored in the distributed ledger and/or the container data module. As a result, a verifiable application/consumption record of the product within the container is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Richard L. Rice, Ulrich G. Trogele, Kent W. James
  • Patent number: 11382261
    Abstract: A method and system for stacking containers each container of a type having a front face having a truncated trapezoidal shape, a rear face having a truncated trapezoidal shape, a top base, a bottom base, a first vertical side adjacent to the top base, a second vertical side adjacent to the top base, a first sloped side between the first vertical side and the bottom base, a second sloped side between the second vertical side and the bottom base. A discharge valve projects from the bottom base where the first vertical side defines a platform for supporting an RFID tag. The containers are configured to be stackable in a manner to provide simultaneous reading of the multiple RFID tags on the platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard L. Rice, Keith Woodruff, Brian Kaltner
  • Publication number: 20220183217
    Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes an agricultural product supply system configured to dispense agricultural products. The system includes a seed tube for introducing seed. A tube-mounted nozzle is positioned on the seed tube for introducing liquid agricultural product into the seed tube. A gaseous fluid line is in fluid connection to a source of gaseous fluid. A gaseous fluid bubble generation assembly is in fluid communication with the gaseous fluid line. The gaseous fluid bubble generation assembly is configured to generate bubbles. The gaseous fluid bubble generation assembly is arranged and constructed so that when the gaseous fluid from the gaseous fluid line is passed therethrough bubbles are generated and agglomerated when the gaseous fluid encounters the liquid agricultural product within the seed tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard L. Rice, KYLE CECIL, LARRY M. CONRAD, WILLIAM C. MARTIN, MATTHEW T. MILLER, JONATHAN E. STURM, TRAVIS M. SWEHLA
  • Patent number: 11330756
    Abstract: A system and method that automatically monitors product use, such as the type and amount of agricultural and/or horticultural product stored in and dispensed from a cartridge over time and/or by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on the cartridge and may be transmitted to a server for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may be authenticated before being authorized for use for the benefit of a current user in dispensing the product. The cartridge may be refilled after confirmation of authorization codes on the cartridge and refilling equipment tags. The cartridge may be calibrated automatically based on the bulk density or other parameter of the product in the cartridge. Data may be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically. As-applied data from individual cartridges may be used to verify, independent of operator input, treated area coverage and product application rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: AMVAC Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20220142066
    Abstract: A supply tube assembly for measuring a liquid agricultural product application rate. An upstream portion of a supply tube has an upstream portion outlet end. A downstream portion has a downstream portion inlet end. The sensor body assembly includes a sensor body, a first sensing plate, and a second sensing plate. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive an inlet flow of the liquid agricultural product from the upstream portion and a sensor outlet end positioned to receive an outlet flow of the liquid agricultural product. The sensor body is an enclosure having a cross sectional area larger than the cross sectional area of the upstream portion of the supply tube and the downstream portion of the supply tube. Electronic components are configured to measure the liquid agricultural product application rate between the first sensing plate and the second sensing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Larry M. Conrad, RICHARD L. RICE
  • Patent number: D968019
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Woodruff, Brian Kaltner, Richard L. Rice
  • Patent number: D985393
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Woodruff, Brian Kaltner, Richard L. Rice
  • Patent number: D999446
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Woodruff, Brian Kaltner, Richard L. Rice
  • Patent number: D1010457
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Woodruff, Brian Kaltner, Richard L. Rice