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).
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Patent number: 11231305Abstract: A flow sensor apparatus for monitoring a directed stream of an agricultural product from an application port of a supply tube. The directed stream has a target directed portion and an off-target portion. A sensor housing includes a conical flow receiving element and a sensor body. The receiving element has an inlet orifice at a first end and a receiving element outlet at a second end. The first end is smaller than the second end. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive a target directed portion of the directed stream from the receiving element outlet of the conical flow receiving element wherein an off-target portion of the directed stream is not sensed. The sensor housing and sensor element are positioned external to the application port and thus positioned to provide measurement, targeting, and timing of the agricultural product.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, Richard L. Rice
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Patent number: 11229155Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: AMVAC Chemical CorporationInventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
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Publication number: 20210307242Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: RICHARD L. RICE, KEITH WOODRUFF, BRIAN KALTNER
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Publication number: 20210289684Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIOInventors: RICHARD L. RICE, LARRY M. CONRAD
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Patent number: 11122730Abstract: A system for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products, includes a syringe-based agricultural product metering system, a number of agricultural product tubes, and an agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is operably connected to sources of low rate agricultural products. The agricultural product tubes are 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2021Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Keith Woodruff, Richard L. Rice, Larry M. Conrad
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Publication number: 20210282311Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
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Patent number: 11058046Abstract: A system for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products that includes a multiple low rate agricultural (MLRA) product application device configured to cooperate with a planting equipment monitor assembly positioned to sense a seed being discharged from high speed planting equipment. Each MLRA product application device comprises a common housing for a number of low rate agricultural product input assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, Richard L. Rice, Keith Woodruff
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Publication number: 20210199481Abstract: A flow sensor apparatus for monitoring a directed stream of an agricultural product from an application port of a supply tube. The directed stream has a target directed portion and an off-target portion. A sensor housing includes a conical flow receiving element and a sensor body. The receiving element has an inlet orifice at a first end and a receiving element outlet at a second end. The first end is smaller than the second end. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive a target directed portion of the directed stream from the receiving element outlet of the conical flow receiving element wherein an off-target portion of the directed stream is not sensed. The sensor housing and sensor element are positioned external to the application port and thus positioned to provide measurement, targeting, and timing of the agricultural product.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, RICHARD L. RICE
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Patent number: 11039569Abstract: A container system for transporting and dispensing agricultural products. The container system includes a housing assembly and a set of agricultural product containers. The housing assembly has multiple slot assemblies for containers. The agricultural product containers are configured to be releasably contained within the slot assemblies. The set of agricultural product containers may include liquid agricultural product containers and dry agricultural product containers. The slot assemblies and agricultural product containers are cooperatively configured to provide the ability to utilize either of the agricultural product containers within the slot assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Keith Woodruff, Brian Kaltner, Richard L. Rice
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Patent number: 11026362Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Richard L. Rice, Larry M. Conrad
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Publication number: 20210153422Abstract: A system for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products, includes a syringe-based agricultural product metering system, a number of agricultural product tubes, and an agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is operably connected to sources of low rate agricultural products. The agricultural product tubes are 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: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2021Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: KEITH WOODRUFF, RICHARD L. RICE, LARRY M. CONRAD
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Publication number: 20200383263Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: RICHARD L. RICE, LARRY M. CONRAD
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Publication number: 20200267891Abstract: A container system for transporting and dispensing agricultural products. The container system includes a housing assembly and a set of agricultural product containers. The housing assembly has multiple slot assemblies for containers. The agricultural product containers are configured to be releasably contained within the slot assemblies. The set of agricultural product containers may include liquid agricultural product containers and dry agricultural product containers. The slot assemblies and agricultural product containers are cooperatively configured to provide the ability to utilize either of the agricultural product containers within the slot assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: KEITH WOODRUFF, BRIAN KALTNER, RICHARD L. RICE
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Publication number: 20200267889Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
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Patent number: 10694655Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: AMVAC Chemical CorporationInventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
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Patent number: 10645866Abstract: A container system for transporting and dispensing agricultural products. The container system includes a housing assembly and a set of agricultural product containers. The housing assembly has multiple slot assemblies for containers. The agricultural product containers are configured to be releasably contained within the slot assemblies. The set of agricultural product containers may include liquid agricultural product containers and dry agricultural product containers. The slot assemblies and agricultural product containers are cooperatively configured to provide the ability to utilize either of the agricultural product containers within the slot assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Keith Woodruff, Brian Kaltner, Richard L. Rice
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Publication number: 20200120862Abstract: A system for dispensing crop input products from multiple meters per crop row, including: a) a georeferencing module configured to receive and process georeferenced location information; b) a prescriptive control module configured to receive the processed georeferenced location information from the georeferencing module and utilize the georeferenced location information to generate specific prescriptive rate information for individual meters in the field; and, c) a meter controller module operatively connected to the prescriptive control module. The meter controller module is configured to utilize the specific prescriptive rate information to individually control multiple meters per crop row, to simultaneously dispense crop input products at specific prescriptive rates at georeferenced locations throughout the field.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: AMVAC Chemical CorporationInventors: ERIC G. WINTEMUTE, JOHN J. RICHARDSON, RICHARD L. RICE, LARRY M. CONRAD, REX A. RYSDAM, NATHANIEL R. CLAUSSEN, RICHARD M. PORTER
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Publication number: 20200068794Abstract: A container system for transporting and dispensing agricultural products. The container system includes a housing assembly and a set of agricultural product containers. The housing assembly has multiple slot assemblies for containers. The agricultural product containers are configured to be releasably contained within the slot assemblies. The set of agricultural product containers may include liquid agricultural product containers and dry agricultural product containers. The slot assemblies and agricultural product containers are cooperatively configured to provide the ability to utilize either of the agricultural product containers within the slot assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: KEITH WOODRUFF, BRIAN KALTNER, RICHARD L. RICE
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Patent number: D908277Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Keith Woodruff, Brian Kaltner, Richard L. Rice
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Patent number: D929870Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Keith Woodruff, Brian Kaltner, Richard L. Rice