Patents by Inventor Robert T. Cruz

Robert T. Cruz 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: 20220022428
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder includes a liquid container with a liquid opening at a lower end. A feeding basin is positioned below the liquid container for containing nectar accessed by birds. A sealing mechanism includes a valve responsive to a nectar level in the feeding basin for opening and closing the liquid opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Cruz, Marko Konstantin Lubic
  • Patent number: 11147245
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Cruz, Marko Konstantin Lubic
  • Publication number: 20190174725
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert T. CRUZ, Marko Konstantin LUBIC
  • Patent number: 10085426
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert T. Cruz, Marko Konstantin Lubic
  • Patent number: 9949471
    Abstract: A vented combustion chamber for an insect attractant engine is provided for a flying insect trapping device of the type that relies upon combustion of a fuel to generate a flow of carbon dioxide to attract flying insects. The combustion chamber, which is generally tubular and horizontally oriented in operation, is vented through a hole formed in one side of the chamber wall that extends from the outer surface of the chamber into the interior thereof. During operation of the device, this through-hole allows gas inside the chamber to be vented to the outside, changing the effective length of the combustion chamber for the purposes of wave generation is changed so that creation of a resonance cycle or standing wave, and the resulting acoustic phenomenon of howling, is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert T. Cruz, Richard L. Eyer, Marko Konstantin Lubic, Christopher Kamery
  • Publication number: 20170273280
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert T. CRUZ, Marko Konstantin LUBIC
  • Patent number: 9717229
    Abstract: A cage type animal trap having an enclosure with an animal access opening into a vacant interior sized to receive an animal to be trapped. The access opening is closed by a door that is movable from a closed to an opened position by an actuating mechanism having a flexible actuating member with one end secured to the door and the other end releasably held by a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is configured to move the door to the opened position by tensioning the actuating member and, in response to a trigger mechanism, to release the second end of the actuating member and allow the door to move from the opened position to the closed position thereby trapping the animal in the animal enclosure. A door lock in abutment with the outer surface of the door prevents the door from being opened by a trapped animal. A part of the actuating mechanism is in engagement with the door lock when the door is closed such that the door lock is automatically disengaged when the actuating member is tensioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher T. Rich, Robert T. Cruz, Edward J. Holliday, Marko Lubic
  • Patent number: 9565838
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Gauker, Christopher J. Kamery, Marko Konstantin Lubic, Robert T. Cruz
  • Patent number: 9549537
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert T. Cruz, Marko Konstantin Lubic
  • Publication number: 20160057988
    Abstract: A cage type animal trap having an enclosure with an animal access opening into a vacant interior sized to receive an animal to be trapped. The access opening is closed by a door that is movable from a closed to an opened position by an actuating mechanism having a flexible actuating member with one end secured to the door and the other end releasably held by a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is configured to move the door to the opened position by tensioning the actuating member and, in response to a trigger mechanism, to release the second end of the actuating member and allow the door to move from the opened position to the closed position thereby trapping the animal in the animal enclosure. A door lock in abutment with the outer surface of the door prevents the door from being opened by a trapped animal. A part of the actuating mechanism is in engagement with the door lock when the door is closed such that the door lock is automatically disengaged when the actuating member is tensioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher T. RICH, Robert T. Cruz, Edward J. HOLLIDAY, Marko LUBIC
  • Patent number: 9060505
    Abstract: A cage type animal trap having an enclosure with an animal access opening into a vacant interior sized to receive an animal to be trapped. The access opening is closed by a door that is movable from a closed to an opened position by an actuating mechanism releasably held by a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is configured to move between hold and release positions, the hold position moving the door to the opened position and the release position releasing the actuating member to allow the door to close and trap the animal in the animal enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher T Rich, Robert T. Cruz, Edward J. Holliday, Marko Lubic
  • Publication number: 20150128868
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert T. CRUZ, Marko Konstantin LUBIC
  • Publication number: 20140325893
    Abstract: A vented combustion chamber for an insect attractant engine is provided for a flying insect trapping device of the type that relies upon combustion of a fuel to generate a flow of carbon dioxide to attract flying insects. The combustion chamber, which is generally tubular and horizontally oriented in operation, is vented through a hole formed in one side of the chamber wall that extends from the outer surface of the chamber into the interior thereof. During operation of the device, this through-hole allows gas inside the chamber to be vented to the outside, changing the effective length of the combustion chamber for the purposes of wave generation is changed so that creation of a resonance cycle or standing wave, and the resulting acoustic phenomenon of howling, is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert T. CRUZ, Richard L. EYER, Marko Konstantin LUBIC, Christopher KAMERY
  • Publication number: 20140318464
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew GAUKER, Christopher J. KAMERY, Marko Konstantin LUBIC, Robert T. CRUZ
  • Patent number: 8869743
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Cruz, Marko Konstantin Lubic
  • Patent number: 8763558
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Gauker, Christopher J. Kamery, Marko Konstantin Lubic, Robert T. Cruz
  • Patent number: 8753110
    Abstract: A vented combustion chamber for an insect attractant engine is provided for a flying insect trapping device of the type that relies upon combustion of a fuel to generate a flow of carbon dioxide to attract flying insects. The combustion chamber, which is generally tubular and horizontally oriented in operation, is vented through a hole formed in one side of the chamber wall that extends from the outer surface of the chamber into the interior thereof. During operation of the device, this through-hole allows gas inside the chamber to be vented to the outside, changing the effective length of the combustion chamber for the purposes of wave generation is changed so that creation of a resonance cycle or standing wave, and the resulting acoustic phenomenon of howling, is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Cruz, Richard L. Eyer, Marko Konstantin Lubic, Christopher Kamery
  • Patent number: 8739733
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Gauker, Christopher J. Kamery, Marko Konstantin Lubic, Robert T. Cruz
  • Patent number: 8522718
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder has a generally upstanding liquid container with a large opening at its top end that is closed and sealed by a removable top or cap. The cap has a two-part construction including an outer shell and an inner sealing member. The inner sealing member includes a sealing element in the form of a vertically elongated, reinforced sealing ring that is received within the top of the container with a friction fit to automatically form a cork-type seal when the outer shell is threaded onto the container. Unthreading of the outer shell pulls the sealing ring out of engagement with the container to remove the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Cruz, Marko Konstantin Lubic
  • Publication number: 20130092091
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew GAUKER, Christopher J. Kamery, Marko Konstantin Lubic, Robert T. Cruz