Patents Issued in April 11, 2017
  • Patent number: PP27864
    Abstract: A new variety of Ground Cover rose suitable for garden decoration, having flowers of medium yellow to buttery gold coloration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Early Morning LLC
    Inventor: Christian Bédard
  • Patent number: PP27865
    Abstract: A new variety of Grandiflora rose suitable for garden decoration, having flowers of golden tan with copper reverse coloration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Early Morning LLC
    Inventor: Thomas F. Carruth
  • Patent number: PP27866
    Abstract: A new mango tree named ‘RA/17’, distinguished by its attractive fruit having excellent flavor and a long shelf life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth Rayner
  • Patent number: PP27867
    Abstract: A new and distinctive cultivar of Malus domestica ‘apple’, variety Gala, that is distinguished by the combination of the uniqueness of its fruit, bloom and harvest date differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Brandon Lewis
  • Patent number: PP27868
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 1. Tree having a vigorous, semi-spreading growth habit. 2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of large size fruit. 3. Fruit with an attractive orange skin color. 4. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: Gary Neil Zaiger, Leith Marie Gardner, Grant Gene Zaiger
  • Patent number: PP27869
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 1. Tree with vigorous, upright growth. 2. Regular and productive bearer of large size fruit. 3. Fruit with firm, yellow flesh and good eating quality. 4. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color. 5. Fruit with good handling and shipping quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: Gary Neil Zaiger, Leith Marie Gardner, Grant Gene Zaiger
  • Patent number: PP27870
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 1. Tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit. 2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of large size, yellow flesh fruit. 3. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality, mild, sweet and low acid. 4. Fruit being relatively uniform in size throughout the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: Gary Neil Zaiger, Leith Marie Gardner, Grant Gene Zaiger
  • Patent number: PP27871
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of primocane and floricane fruiting black raspberry plant ‘Ohio's Treasure’. The new cultivar fruits from normal overwintered floricane buds, on primocanes, and from late spring, long, basal, floricane trusses which result in good productivity over a particularly long harvest season.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin Dale Stokes, Harry Jan Swartz
  • Patent number: PP27872
    Abstract: A new cultivar of grape plant named, ‘Chenibec’, that is characterized by its open and even plant habit, its fruit that is large in size and golden in color at maturity, its juicy berries with a crisp, fruity, wine-like taste, its large, shouldered, medium density fruit clusters that are full of berries, its vigorous growth rate and high level of fruit productivity, and its grapes that are suitable for secondary fermentation to produce sparkling and champagne style wine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald Juneau
  • Patent number: PP27873
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Cornus plant named ‘Powell Gardens’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and rounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; stems that are dark reddish purple in color during the winter; leaves that become dark red purple in color in the autumn; single-type flowers that are white in color; bluish-colored fruits; resistance to stem cankers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Spring Meadow Nursery Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Branhagen
  • Patent number: PP27874
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Physocarpus, ‘JONIGHT’ that is characterized by its compact, upright and bushy plant habit, its foliage that is very dark purplish-brown to black in color, and its well branched stems with short internodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: John Jones, Maria Jones
  • Patent number: PP27875
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Grevillea plant named ‘Kings Fire’, characterized by its bright red-colored inflorescences, light green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, semi-upright growth habit, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
    Inventor: Digby Growns
  • Patent number: PP27876
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Azalea plant named ‘STEWARD’, characterized by its globe to broad columnar plant form; freely branching habit; terminal truss flower arrangement; pure white hose-in-hose flowers with some yellow-green flecking in the throat of the petals; green-yellow flower buds; and hardiness in USDA zone 6a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: The Ohio State University
    Inventor: Larry G. Steward
  • Patent number: PP27877
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Azalea plant named ‘RLH1-9P7’, characterized by its relatively compact, upright to outwardly spreading and globose plant habit; freely basal branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; evergreen, persistent dark green-colored leaves that do not abscise during the winter; freely flowering habit with remontant flowering during the spring, summer and autumn; large, non-persistent single to semi-double flowers that are hot pink in color during the spring and becoming more rose red in color during the summer; and excellent garden performance and temperature tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Head's Select, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Harold Head, Lisa Jones Head
  • Patent number: PP27878
    Abstract: Buddleia ‘Crown Jewels’ is a short, mounded, multi-stemmed, winter-hardy butterfly bush with long, compact, flowering thyrse over a long season beginning mid-summer with sweetly-fragrant red-purple flowers that are attractively offset by chartreuse to bright yellow foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Walters Gardens Inc
    Inventors: Hans A. Hansen, Kevin A. Hurd
  • Patent number: PP27879
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘JoAnn’, characterized by its loosely upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; strong and sturdy stems; relatively small leaves; freely flowering habit; large showy inflorescences with sterile flowers that are initially white in color and with development become pink to rosy violet pink in color; and good garden performance and winter hardiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Spring Meadow Nursery Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Branhagen
  • Patent number: PP27880
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of winter-hardy, herbaceous, perennial, hybrid Hibiscus plant named ‘Perfect Storm’ comprising a short compact habit of multiple, well-branched, basal stems producing numerous flowers from the ground up, over a prolonged season having light pink to near white base and bright-red eye and veins and marginal red tinting. The foliage is three to five-lobed, deeply dissected, maple-like and dark purple colored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Walters Gardens, Inc
    Inventor: Hans A. Hansen
  • Patent number: PP27881
    Abstract: An Abutilon plant named ‘RutAbut2’ has prolific quantities of large yellow flowers, a compact and more prostrate growth habit, shorter internodes, and has an extended duration of flowering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Ruter, Donglin Zhang, Allan M. Armitage, David A. Knauft, Suzzanne C. Tate, Kelly Preslar
  • Patent number: PP27882
    Abstract: A new and unique cultivar of perennial carnation or pinks plant, named Dianthus ‘Maraschino’ with completely double flowers of overlapping hot cherry-red petals and dark burgundy bands contrasts nicely with the dense, cool, icy, silver-blue compact foliage. ‘Maraschino’ tolerates high temperatures, resists center die-out of the clump and does not require vernalization to flower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Walters Gardens, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans A. Hansen
  • Patent number: PP27883
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘PER1362’, characterized by its uniform, upright and mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely and upright to somewhat outwardly branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; under natural season conditions, plants flower on or about November 8 in Southern California; large inflorescences with peach-colored flower bracts with dark pink-colored flecks and spots; and good post-production longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Dümmen Group B.V.
    Inventor: Ruth Kobayashi
  • Patent number: PP27884
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘PER1912’, characterized by its uniform, upright and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely and upright branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; under natural season conditions, plants flower on or about November 25 in Southern California; large inflorescences with salmon pink-colored flower bracts; and good post-production longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Dümmen Group B.V.
    Inventor: Ruth Kobayashi
  • Patent number: PP27885
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Boo’ that is characterized by large mauve-pink flowers with dark purple veins and whitish centers, a long flowering season and vigorous growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Merz
  • Patent number: PP27886
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Fikaldendi’, characterized by its compact, upright and uniformly mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching plant habit; glossy dark green-colored leaves; uniform, early and freely flowering habit; bright orange red-colored flowers; and excellent postproduction longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Fides B.V.
    Inventor: Ike J. Vlielander
  • Patent number: PP27887
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Anthurium plant named ‘ANTHDOSDOH’ particularly characterized by having a pink, lanceolate spathe, a purple spadix with a red tip, a lanceolate leaf, an extremely compact plant habit and light green foliage is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ANTHURA B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Van Dijk
  • Patent number: PP27888
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Anthurium plant named ‘ANTHIOWIR’ particularly distinguished by having a characteristic glossy, purple spathe and a deep purple spadix, elliptical cordate and dark green leaves with dark red primary veins, continuously flowering throughout the year, little shoots creating an open plant habit with a height of 55 cm to 65 cm, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ANTHURA B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Van Dijk
  • Patent number: PP27889
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Anthurium plant named ‘ANTHDUBAQ’ particularly characterized by having a shiny, red-purple spathe, a purple spadix, a compact plant habit, a long-ovate leaf shape with a truncate base, and shiny, dark green foliage, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ANTHURA B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Van Dijk
  • Patent number: PP27890
    Abstract: ‘Gran Paradiso’ is a new variety of calla lily having flowers with an Orange Red-colored spathe that produces 3-10 flowers per tuber. The flower stems are about 90 cm. in height and the leaves are green with whitish spots and have a leathery texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Sande B.V.
    Inventor: Cecilius Jan-Jochem Randag
  • Patent number: PP27891
    Abstract: ‘Sunclub’ is a new variety of calla lily having inflorescences with a yellow-colored spathe that produces 7-20 inflorescences per tuber. The inflorescence stems are about 30 cm in height, and the leaves are green with whitish spots and have a leathery texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Sande B.V.
    Inventor: Cecilius Jan-Jochem Randag
  • Patent number: PP27892
    Abstract: ‘Summer Sun’ is a new variety of calla lily having inflorescences with a yellow-colored spathe that produces 5-20 inflorescences per tuber. The inflorescence stems are about 35 cm in height, and the leaves are green with whitish spots and have a leathery texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Sande B.V.
    Inventor: Cecilius Jan-Jochem Randag
  • Patent number: RE46362
    Abstract: Devices and methods for cooling microwave antennae and microwave hub construction are disclosed herein. The cooling system and hub can be utilized with a variety of microwave antenna types. A microwave hub is utilized to provide cooling fluids to a microwave antenna. The hub is constructed using no glue or adhesive for holding the different parts of the chambers in place. O-rings provide an increased reliability and consistency for fluid-tight seals in the hub. The various parts of the hub are form fitted and work together with the o-rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Arnold V. DeCarlo
  • Patent number: RE46363
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dial-down mechanism for an injection device comprising a torsion spring for assisting injection of a dose of medicament from the injection device, the dial-down mechanism comprising dial-up cam arranged to receive and engage with a dial-up key, wherein the dial-up cam and the dial-up key are adapted to, upon rotation of a dose setting member in a first direction, cooperate to strain the torsion spring of the injection device, and a dial-down cam arranged to receive and engage with a dial-down key, wherein the dial-down cam and the dial-down key are adapted to, upon rotation of the dose setting member in a second direction, cooperate to release the torsion spring of the injection device, the second rotation direction being opposite to the first rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Claus Schmidt Moeller, Christian Peter Enggaard, Bo Radmer, Tom Hede Markussen
  • Patent number: RE46364
    Abstract: [Object] The main object of the present invention is to provide a fibrosis inhibitor. [Solving Means] The present invention relates to a fibrosis inhibitor containing the heterocyclic derivative represented by the following general formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient; In the formula (1), R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents an optionally substituted aryl; R3 and R4 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen atom or alkyl; R5 represents hydrogen atom, alkyl or halogen atom; Y represents N or N?O; A represents NR6, and R6 represents hydrogen atom, alkyl, etc.; D represents alkylene or alkenylene which is optionally substituted with hydroxy; E represents phenylene or a single bond; G represents O, S, etc.; and Q represents carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON SHINYAKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Murakami, Takuya Toramoto
  • Patent number: RE46365
    Abstract: A novel compound which is useful as an agent for treating and/or preventing emesis, vomiting and/or constipation. A compound represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl etc., R3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl, optionally substituted lower alkoxy etc., R4 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, R5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl lower alkyl or lower alkenyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptably salt, or a solvate thereof is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Shionogi & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanao Inagaki, Shin-ichiro Hara, Nobuhiro Haga, Yoshinori Tamura, Yoshihisa Goto, Tsuyoshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: RE46366
    Abstract: A non-radioactive atmospheric pressure device for ionization of analytes comprises an atmospheric pressure chamber having an inlet for carrier gas, a first electrode at one end, and a counter-electrode at the other end of the chamber for creating an electrical discharge in the carrier gas thus creating metastable neutral excited-state species. Optionally, a grid is provided to generate electrons or ions by contact with the excited-state species. The carrier gas containing the excited-state species or the electrons generated therefrom is directed at an analyte at atmospheric pressure near ground potential to form analyte ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: JEOL USA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert B. Cody, James A. Laramee
  • Patent number: 9615496
    Abstract: A cutting unit for a disc harrow and/or a seed coulter. The cutting unit includes a cutting blade rotatably mounted about a rotation axis, and a stripping device for stripping earth accumulated on the cutting blade, wherein the stripping device has at least one stripping arm rotatably mounted about the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Kverneland Group Les Landes Genusson S.A.S.
    Inventors: Gaetan Pasquier, Arnaud Sechet
  • Patent number: 9615497
    Abstract: A modular autonomous agricultural vehicle includes a drive module having a frame, a ground-engaging element rotatably coupled to the frame, a power source, and a drive motor receiving power from the power source and coupled to the ground-engaging element for rotating the ground engaging element. At least one toolbar module is detachably coupled to the frame for coupling the drive module to an agricultural implement or another modular toolbar segment. The modular toolbar preferably includes multiple toolbar modules coupled to each other in series to form the modular toolbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Dawn Equipment Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Bassett, Rodney J. Arthur
  • Patent number: 9615498
    Abstract: A haymaking machine includes a chassis supported directly or indirectly on the ground by wheels and a working device connected to the chassis. The chassis includes a coupling device to which two hitching pieces are articulated each bearing a hitching pin for the hitching to the respective lower arms of a tractor. Each hitching piece cooperates with a respective return device. Each return device storing energy when the corresponding hitching pin moves, relative to the coupling device, upward from a first position. Each return device is able to release that energy to the corresponding hitching pin by returning the hitching pin toward the first position. Each return device stores energy when the corresponding hitching pin moves, relative to the coupling device, downward from a second position, and each return device can release that energy to the corresponding hitching pin by returning the hitching pin toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: KUHN S.A.
    Inventors: Cedric Speich, Mathieu Schott
  • Patent number: 9615499
    Abstract: An agricultural implement has a depth control system in which a position sensor directly measures linear translation of a hydraulic cylinder that lifts and lowers a work unit on an implement frame to set and adjust the depth of the work unit without the use of a rockshaft. The position sensor may be positioned adjacent to or integrally formed with the hydraulic cylinder, and provides a voltage to a controller remote from the implement. The controller automatically adjusts the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic cylinder to maintain the depth of each work unit at an operator-selected level and can be used to calibrate the actual position of multiple work units relative to the frame and to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Trevor Kowalchuk, Nick Ryder
  • Patent number: 9615500
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, at least one auxiliary implement assembly coupled to each of the wing sections and a control system. Each auxiliary implement assembly includes at least one support member, at least one pivotal arm pivotally coupled to the support member, at least one actuator coupled to both the support member and the pivotal arm and a ground contacting implement coupled to the pivotal arm. The control system is configured to actuate the actuators to control a position of each ground contacting implement in each of the sections when the agricultural implement is transitioning to a transport mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Sudbrink, Dean A. Knobloch
  • Patent number: 9615501
    Abstract: A system for controlling the position of an agricultural implement coupled to an agricultural vehicle comprises a control unit connected to a field topography database containing three-dimensional data of the topography of a field, a location signal generation arrangement providing location data of the position of the vehicle and/or the implement in the field, an implement position sensor arranged to sense the position of the implement with respect to the ground and to a positioning arrangement configured to move the implement in response to position control signals from the control unit. The control unit is operable to provide the control signals based upon a combination of actual position data received from the implement position sensor and expected required position change data that are derived from elevation data recalled from the field topography database based upon the location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Terence Daniel Pickett, Shufeng Han
  • Patent number: 9615502
    Abstract: A holder unit facilitates secure, safe and adjustable connection between an agricultural implement and a draft vehicle such as a tractor. The holder unit mounts to the tongue of the implement and engages a portion of a drivetrain, allowing the drivetrain to rest on a saddle of the holder unit. The holder unit features three adjustability orientations, a fore-and-aft adjustability, a height adjustability and a saddle pivot adjustability. These adjustability orientations are easily combined by the user to achieve accurate alignment for PTO-to-drivetrain connection irrespective of variations between the draft vehicle and the implement drivetrain connector device respective orientations and terrain unevenness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Alamo Group Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Smith, Jack Harrington
  • Patent number: 9615503
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cultivating sugar cane comprising removing buds together with meristematic tissue from the stalk of a 6 to 18 months old sugar cane plant, treating the buds with at least one fungicide and/or at least one insecticide and/or at least one nematicide and/or at least one growth regulator and/or at least one rooting enabler and/or growth-promoting bacteria, planting these buds in a growth medium, growing seedlings from the buds at a temperature of at least 15° C., and 10 to 120 days after planting the buds, planting the seedlings grown from the buds to the field if the growth medium is not a field, or, in case the growth medium is a field, exposing the seedlings obtained from the buds to ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Frank Werner, Nilton Degaspari, Antonio Cesar Azenha, Cassio da Silva Cardoso Teixeira, Paulo Cesar Queiroz, Marco Antonio Tavares-Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 9615504
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for applying varying agricultural inputs in accordance with a prescription map. The system includes a plurality of input sources each containing different agricultural inputs. A variety selector selectively places the different inputs from the plurality of input sources in communication with a meter for dispensing the inputs in accordance with the prescription map to minimize prescription errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Sauder, Phil Baurer, Troy Plattner
  • Patent number: 9615505
    Abstract: A run selection mechanism is provided for selectively directing the flow of particulate material from an air cart. The mechanism includes a chute for receiving metered particulate material. The chute has an output. A first primary conduit has an output communicating with a first pneumatic primary run and a second primary conduit has an output communicating with a second pneumatic primary run. A selector selectively directs the metered particulate material to one of the output of the chute, the first pneumatic primary run and the second pneumatic primary run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ethan Bent, Dennis Thompson, Dennis Chahley, Darwin Zacharias
  • Patent number: 9615506
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an agricultural system having a flow path configured to distribute agricultural product from a product storage tank to a row unit across a field via an air flow. The flow path includes an inlet configured to receive the agricultural product, an outlet configured to output the agricultural product, a body extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a first pressure tap and a second pressure tap each extending into the body. The agricultural system also includes a first pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the first pressure tap and configured to output a first signal indicative of a first static pressure of the air flow proximate to the first pressure tap, and a second pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the second pressure tap and configured to output a second signal indicative of a second static pressure of the air flow proximate to the second pressure tap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rex L. Ruppert, Bradley D. Hansen, Martin J. Roberge
  • Patent number: 9615507
    Abstract: A lawn care device (10) may include a mobility assembly (42,44) configured to facilitate movement of the lawn care device over ground, a cutting deck (40) housing at least one blade, an engine (50) operably coupled to the at least one blade via a rotatable shaft to enable the at least one blade to cut vegetation responsive to rotation of the at least one blade, a control unit (110) configured to be in communication with at least one functional unit of the lawn care device, at least one sensor (142) disposed to monitor the at least one functional unit, a transmitter (144) operably coupled to the sensor to wirelessly transmit a signal from the sensor to the control unit based on operation of the at least one functional unit, and an energy harvester (146) configured to convert energy from a source of origin into electrical energy, the electrical energy being employed for powering the at least one sensor and the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Bernard Drew, Matthew Albinger
  • Patent number: 9615508
    Abstract: Lawn mower utilizing a work device having a plurality of blades for performing lawn mowing work. A power device is configured to transmit rotational power to each of the plurality of blades, and be capable of optionally changing the rotation number of the rotational power transmitted to each of the plurality of blades. A blade speed detection unit is configured to detect respective speeds of the plurality of blades to a ground. A control device is configured to perform energy-saving control of increasing and decreasing the rotation number of the rotational power transmitted to each of the plurality of blades in accordance with increase and reduction in the detected speed of each of the plurality of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ito, Kazuo Koike, Yoshitomo Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9615509
    Abstract: A grain tank includes a generally flat bottom that is oriented at a position that is less than the angle of repose of the grain. A conveyor mechanism conveys grain along the bottom to a cross auger for unloading. One or more sensors may be placed in the grain tank to determine a state of the grain to further determine if the conveyor mechanism should be operated to unload grain from the grain tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Wayne T. Flickinger, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Patent number: 9615510
    Abstract: A turf groomer is coupled to a reel cutting unit in advance of the cutting reel and is powered by a gearbox having a rotary gear drive that provides alternately usable first and second drive paths capable of selectively rotating the turf groomer in opposite directions at different speeds. The rotary gear drive includes an axially slidable input gear on an input shaft. An actuator is coupled to the input gear to slide the input gear from one position in which the input gear is within the first drive path to select rotation of the turf groomer in a first direction at a first rotational speed. Alternatively, the actuator can slide the input gear into a second operational position in which the input gear is within the second drive path to select rotation of the turf groomer in an opposite direction at a different speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Nicholas John Sirek, Gerald Eugene Goman
  • Patent number: 9615511
    Abstract: A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Johnson, Matthew John Rizzo, James Reuben Schmidt, Barry Stott, Zane Wesley Unrau