Patents by Inventor Vane Case

Vane Case 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: 9961915
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment of grain for toxins and/or odor utilize a storage container having a grain storage space and an aeration floor that allows air to flow through the aeration floor into the grain storage space. Ozone (mixed with air) is supplied to the grain through the aeration floor under positive pressure, whereby ozone is forced through the aeration floor into a lower portion of the grain storage space. After an initial treatment time, the initial treatment time allowing for the ozone to reduce toxins and/or odor in a lowermost portion of the initial quantity of grain an effective or desired amount, a lowermost portion or a lower treated portion of the grain in the grain storage space is removed, and new grain is added on top of the grain in the grain storage space, all while continuing to supply ozone through the aeration floor under positive pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Archer Daniels Midland Co.
    Inventors: Lynn Johnson, DelRon E. Albert, Vane Case, Kevin C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9808020
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment of grain in a storage container using ozone may be used for treating grain for toxins, insects, mold, and/or odor. Downdraft methods for applying high concentrations of ozone to grain in a storage container treat grain without generating ozone-related objectionable odors or with generation of only minimal ozone-related objectionable odors. A method for downdraft ozone treatment of grain with minimal generation of ozone-related objectionable odors involves providing a negative air pressure at a bottom of a volume of grain in a storage container. A high ozone concentration is generated in air above an upper surface of the volume of grain. The ozone is drawn down into the volume of grain using the negative air pressure for a treatment time sufficient to effectively treat the grain without causing significant ozone-related commercially-objectionable foreign odors in the grain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Archer Daniels Midland Co.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Johnson, Lynn Johnson, Delron E. Albert, Vane Case
  • Patent number: 9808021
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating grain stored in a grain pile with ozone are effective for treating grain for toxins, insects, mold, and/or odor. A method according to embodiments of the invention involves monitoring at least one of temperature and odor at a plurality of aeration outlet locations spaced around the grain pile. When an abnormal temperature variance or odor is detected at one or more of the aeration outlet locations, a determination is made as to a problem location within the grain pile where a treatment of ozone should be applied, and a further determination is made as to how best to apply ozone to the problem location. Ozone is then applied to the problem location within the grain pile to minimize nascent problems in the grain pile. The ozone treatment may reduce molds and toxins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Archer Daniels Midland Co.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Johnson, Lynn Johnson, Delron E. Albert, Vane Case
  • Publication number: 20110151073
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating grain stored in a grain pile with ozone are effective for treating grain for toxins, insects, mold, and/or odor. A method according to embodiments of the invention involves monitoring at least one of temperature and odor at a plurality of aeration outlet locations spaced around the grain pile. When an abnormal temperature variance or odor is detected at one or more of the aeration outlet locations, a determination is made as to a problem location within the grain pile where a treatment of ozone should be applied, and a further determination is made as to how best to apply ozone to the problem location. Ozone is then applied to the problem location within the grain pile to minimize nascent problems in the grain pile. The ozone treatment may reduce molds and toxins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin C. Johnson, Lynn Johnson, Delron E. Albert, Vane Case
  • Publication number: 20110151079
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment of grain for toxins and/or odor utilize a storage container having a grain storage space and an aeration floor that allows air to flow through the aeration floor into the grain storage space. Ozone (mixed with air) is supplied to the grain through the aeration floor under positive pressure, whereby ozone is forced through the aeration floor into a lower portion of the grain storage space. After an initial treatment time, the initial treatment time allowing for the ozone to reduce toxins and/or odor in a lowermost portion of the initial quantity of grain an effective or desired amount, a lowermost portion or a lower treated portion of the grain in the grain storage space is removed, and new grain is added on top of the grain in the grain storage space, all while continuing to supply ozone through the aeration floor under positive pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Lynn Johnson, DelRon E. Albert, Vane Case, Kevin C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110151080
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment of grain in a storage container using ozone may be used for treating grain for toxins, insects, mold, and/or odor. Downdraft methods for applying high concentrations of ozone to grain in a storage container treat grain without generating ozone-related objectionable odors or with generation of only minimal ozone-related objectionable odors. A method for downdraft ozone treatment of grain with minimal generation of ozone-related objectionable odors involves providing a negative air pressure at a bottom of a volume of grain in a storage container. A high ozone concentration is generated in air above an upper surface of the volume of grain. The ozone is drawn down into the volume of grain using the negative air pressure for a treatment time sufficient to effectively treat the grain without causing significant ozone-related commercially-objectionable foreign odors in the grain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin C. Johnson, Lynn Johnson, Delron E. Albert, Vane Case