Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Dufresne

Stephen A. Dufresne 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: 11343985
    Abstract: A closed loop system for growing vegetation is provided. The closed loop system includes at least a first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor. Each of the first and second transport conveyors includes a front end opposite a rear end. The present invention further includes at least a first transfer conveyor. A lighting system is positioned to emit light towards the first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor. The present invention further includes at least one terrace structure. The first transport conveyor transports at least one terrace structure from the front end to the rear end, the first transfer conveyor transfers the at least one terrace structure from rear end of the first transport conveyor to the front end of the second transport conveyor and the second transport conveyor transports the at least one terrace structure from the front end to the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Stephen A. Dufresne
  • Publication number: 20190357459
    Abstract: A closed loop system for growing vegetation is provided. The closed loop system includes at least a first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor. Each of the first and second transport conveyors includes a front end opposite a rear end. The present invention further includes at least a first transfer conveyor. A lighting system is positioned to emit light towards the first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor. The present invention further includes at least one terrace structure. The first transport conveyor transports at least one terrace structure from the front end to the rear end, the first transfer conveyor transfers the at least one terrace structure from rear end of the first transport conveyor to the front end of the second transport conveyor and the second transport conveyor transports the at least one terrace structure from the front end to the rear end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen A. Dufresne, Isaac Van Geest
  • Patent number: 10448587
    Abstract: A multilevel aeroponic terrace growing system for growing vegetation within a warehouse is provided. The multilevel aeroponic terrace growing system includes a plurality of terrace structures. Each of the terrace structures include a bottom portion and at least one growing panel. The growing panel extends from the bottom portion at an angle. The growing panel includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface includes a plurality of adjoining risers and terrace levels forming a step like structure. A plurality of plant plug openings are formed through each of the terrace levels. A substantially enclosed space is formed in between the bottom portion and the growing panel, thereby enclosing the roots. A lighting system may be positioned to emit light towards the outer surface and on the plants. A mister system may be disposed within the substantially enclosed space and emits a mist to irrigate the roots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Inventor: Stephen A. Dufresne
  • Patent number: 10390504
    Abstract: A multilevel indoor mobile gutter system for growing vegetation including at least a first level and a second level is provided. Each level may include a first level conveyor and a second level conveyor respectively. A transfer conveyor is operable to convey from the first level to the second level. A plurality of lights are positioned to emit light towards the first level and the second level. At least one gutter is operable to support a plant within. The first level conveyor transports the at least one gutter from the front end to the rear end of the first level, the transfer conveyor transfers the at least one gutter from rear end of the first level to the front end of the second level, and the second level conveyor transports the at least one gutter from the front end to the rear end of the second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen A. Dufresne, Isaac Van Geest
  • Patent number: 10390503
    Abstract: A closed loop system for growing vegetation is provided. The closed loop system includes at least a first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor. Each of the first and second transport conveyors includes a front end opposite a rear end. The present invention further includes at least a first transfer conveyor. A lighting system is positioned to emit light towards the first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor. The present invention further includes at least one terrace structure. The first transport conveyor transports at least one terrace structure from the front end to the rear end, the first transfer conveyor transfers the at least one terrace structure from rear end of the first transport conveyor to the front end of the second transport conveyor and the second transport conveyor transports the at least one terrace structure from the front end to the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen A. Dufresne, Isaac Van Geest
  • Publication number: 20180125016
    Abstract: A multi-level horizontal air flow distribution system is provided. The air flow distribution system includes a multi-level rack, an air exchange unit, an air delivery structure and an air exhaust structure. The air exchange unit includes a blower that blows air into the air delivery structure. The air delivery structure delivers directed streams of cold air in between plants and lights supported by the multi level rack. The cold air pushes warm air produced by the lights out of the multi-level rack. The warm air rises into the air exhaust structure and may be directed to the air exchange unit to be recycled within the air flow distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen A. Dufresne
  • Publication number: 20180007850
    Abstract: A multilevel indoor mobile gutter system for growing vegetation including at least a first level and a second level is provided. Each level may include a first level conveyor and a second level conveyor respectively. A transfer conveyor is operable to convey from the first level to the second level. A plurality of lights are positioned to emit light towards the first level and the second level. At least one gutter is operable to support a plant within. The first level conveyor transports the at least one gutter from the front end to the rear end of the first level, the transfer conveyor transfers the at least one gutter from rear end of the first level to the front end of the second level, and the second level conveyor transports the at least one gutter from the front end to the rear end of the second level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen A. Dufresne, Isaac Van Geest
  • Publication number: 20170202162
    Abstract: A closed loop system for growing vegetation is provided. The closed loop system includes at least a first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor. Each of the first and second transport conveyors includes a front end opposite a rear end. The present invention further includes at least a first transfer conveyor. A lighting system is positioned to emit light towards the first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor. The present invention further includes at least one terrace structure. The first transport conveyor transports at least one terrace structure from the front end to the rear end, the first transfer conveyor transfers the at least one terrace structure from rear end of the first transport conveyor to the front end of the second transport conveyor and the second transport conveyor transports the at least one terrace structure from the front end to the rear end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen A. Dufresne, Isaac Van Geest
  • Publication number: 20170202164
    Abstract: A multilevel aeroponic terrace growing system for growing vegetation within a warehouse is provided. The multilevel aeroponic terrace growing system includes a plurality of terrace structures. Each of the terrace structures include a bottom portion and at least one growing panel. The growing panel extends from the bottom portion at an angle. The growing panel includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface includes a plurality of adjoining risers and terrace levels forming a step like structure. A plurality of plant plug openings are formed through each of the terrace levels. A substantially enclosed space is formed in between the bottom portion and the growing panel, thereby enclosing the roots. A lighting system may be positioned to emit light towards the outer surface and on the plants. A mister system may be disposed within the substantially enclosed space and emits a mist to irrigate the roots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen A. Dufresne