Patents by Inventor Robert Scott Zimmerman

Robert Scott Zimmerman 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: 20250155417
    Abstract: An emissions measurement system to measure emissions from an animal is provided comprising a fixture in fluid communication with an air handler, wherein the air handler comprises a blower and a first emissions sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Applicant: C-LOCK, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT SCOTT ZIMMERMAN, PATRICK R. ZIMMERMAN
  • Publication number: 20250143261
    Abstract: A feeding system for feeding individual animals of a herd feed, supplements, and combinations thereof. The feeding system includes one-to-many feed bin assemblies or feeding stations such that the system is able to dispense a specified mass of feed to specific animals at user-defined intervals. In this way, each animal of a herd is provided with optimal, individualized amounts of feed or feed material. Multiple feed bin assemblies in a single pasture, for example, can automatically form a network of feeders so that regardless of the specific feed bin assembly or feeding station within the feeding system that an animal visits, the specified amount and type of feed or feed material is delivered. Each feed bin assembly or feeding station can also be equipped with an access control mechanism to ensure each animal of a herd receives its individualized amounts of feed or feed material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Patrick R. Zimmerman, Robert Scott Zimmerman, James R. Krause, Mike Billars
  • Patent number: 12193417
    Abstract: A feeding system for feeding individual animals of a herd feed, supplements, and combinations thereof. The feeding system includes one-to-many feed bin assemblies or feeding stations such that the system is able to dispense a specified mass of feed to specific animals at user-defined intervals. In this way, each animal of a herd is provided with optimal, individualized amounts of feed or feed material. Multiple feed bin assemblies in a single pasture, for example, can automatically form a network of feeders so that regardless of the specific feed bin assembly or feeding station within the feeding system that an animal visits, the specified amount and type of feed or feed material is delivered. Each feed bin assembly or feeding station can also be equipped to download, archive/store, and/or synthesize data into an individual animal record and/or to transmit data from additional onboard animal sensors such as activity and rumination sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: C-Lock Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Zimmerman, Robert Scott Zimmerman, James R. Krause, Mike Billars
  • Publication number: 20210127630
    Abstract: A feeding system for feeding individual animals of a herd feed, supplements, and combinations thereof. The feeding system includes one-to-many feed bin assemblies or feeding stations such that the system is able to dispense a specified mass of feed to specific animals at user-defined intervals. In this way, each animal of a herd is provided with optimal, individualized amounts of feed or feed material. Multiple feed bin assemblies in a single pasture, for example, can automatically form a network of feeders so that regardless of the specific feed bin assembly or feeding station within the feeding system that an animal visits, the specified amount and type of feed or feed material is delivered. Each feed bin assembly or feeding station can also be equipped to download, archive/store, and/or synthesize data into an individual animal record and/or to transmit data from additional onboard animal sensors such as activity and rumination sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick R. Zimmerman, Robert Scott Zimmerman, James R. Krause, Mike Billars
  • Patent number: 10085419
    Abstract: A livestock feed system adapted to be modular and readily scalable from one bin assembly to multiple bin assemblies that can be communicatively networked together. The system includes a stainless steel feed bin with an opening on a first surface of the one or more sidewalls for receiving an animal head. The feed bin further includes an access door on a second surface of the one or more sidewalls that is pivotally, slidably, or removably coupled to adjacent portions of the one or more sidewalls to allow easy cleaning of the bin. The system includes a portable support frame supporting the feed bin, and a controller mounted on the support frame. The controller includes a self-contained computer with a processor executing code (programs or software) to provide an animal monitoring and management module that causes the controller to determine intake by an animal accessing the feed bin through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: C-LOCK INC.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Zimmerman, Robert Scott Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20170013802
    Abstract: A livestock feed system adapted to be modular and readily scalable from one bin assembly to multiple bin assemblies that can be communicatively networked together. The system includes a stainless steel feed bin with an opening on a first surface of the one or more sidewalls for receiving an animal head. The feed bin further includes an access door on a second surface of the one or more sidewalls that is pivotally, slidably, or removably coupled to adjacent portions of the one or more sidewalls to allow easy cleaning of the bin. The system includes a portable support frame supporting the feed bin, and a controller mounted on the support frame. The controller includes a self-contained computer with a processor executing code (programs or software) to provide an animal monitoring and management module that causes the controller to determine intake by an animal accessing the feed bin through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: PATRICK R. ZIMMERMAN, ROBERT SCOTT ZIMMERMAN
  • Patent number: 8307785
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing methane emissions by ruminants. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer where a ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method includes using the gas analyzer to determine levels of carbon dioxide and methane and operating a data analyzing station to determine a ratio of methane to carbon dioxide and modify the type or amount of nutrient supplement for the ruminant for a next feeding to control methane production or achieve an animal production goal, such as by operating a hopper with supplement compartments. The unit can be monitored remotely and controlled through an Internet connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: C-Lock, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Zimmerman, Robert Scott Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110192213
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing methane emissions by ruminants. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer where a ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method includes using the gas analyzer to determine levels of carbon dioxide and methane and operating a data analyzing station to determine a ratio of methane to carbon dioxide and modify the type or amount of nutrient supplement for the ruminant for a next feeding to control methane production or achieve an animal production goal, such as by operating a hopper with supplement compartments. The unit can be monitored remotely and controlled through an Internet connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: C-LOCK INC.
    Inventors: PATRICK R. ZIMMERMAN, ROBERT SCOTT ZIMMERMAN