Patents Issued in February 6, 2018
  • Hybrid tea rose plant named ‘Poulht010’
    Patent number: PP28927
    Abstract: A new garden rose plant of the Hybrid Tea class which has abundant, orange blend flowers and attractive foliage. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: POULSEN ROSER A/S
    Inventor: Mogens Nyegaard Olesen
  • plant named ‘Lim10’
    Patent number: PP28928
    Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid tea Rosa cultivar named ‘Lim10’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive fully double red-orange flowers with a peppery fragrance. Plants are vigorous and can be grown on their own roots. Plants are upright, flower continuously and exhibit good resistance to blackspot diseases. The new variety is a Rosa, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Altman Specialty Plants, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Ping Lim
  • plant named ‘LIMkiss’
    Patent number: PP28929
    Abstract: A new and distinct Rosa cultivar named ‘LimKiss’ is disclosed, characterized by a vigorous, climbing plant habit and flowers colored deep magenta. Flowers have a strong, spicy scent. Plants can be grown on their own roots and are strongly resistant to black spot. The new variety is a Rosa, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Altman Specialty Plants, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Ping Lim
  • Compact floribunda rose plant named ‘Poulpal068’
    Patent number: PP28930
    Abstract: A new garden rose plant of the compact floribunda class which has abundant, orange blend flowers and attractive foliage. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: POULSEN ROSER A/S
    Inventor: Mogens Nyegaard Olesen
  • Male pistachio tree named ‘Tejon’
    Patent number: PP28931
    Abstract: A new male pistachio tree (Pistacia vera L.) designated as ‘Tejon’, particularly characterized by very early to early flowering time, is provided. The male pistachio tree ‘Tejon’ is further characterized by a large number of flowers. In addition, ‘Tejon’ is characterized by the production of large quantities of durable pollen with a high germination ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Craig E. Kallsen, Dan E. Parfitt
  • plant named ‘Trader’
    Patent number: PP28932
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Morus plant named ‘Trader’ that is characterized by its very good cold hardiness and little or no branch die back when grown in North Dakota, its dark purple-black fruit annually with berries ripening sequentially from mid July to mid September in North Dakota, its fruit that lack viable seed with very little seed produced, its plant height of 35 feet (125 year-old tree), its plant habit with a spherical crown that is relatively open (30% porosity when leaved out), and its resistance to spotted-wing drosophila.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventors: James Walla, Michael Edward Kjelland
  • Blueberry plant variety named ‘DrisBlueFifteen’
    Patent number: PP28933
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueFifteen’ particularly distinguished by producing later fruit having skin without bloom on immature fruit that is greyed-purple in color, skin without bloom on mature fruit that is dark blue in color, and skin with bloom on mature fruit that is light violet-blue in color, post-harvest fruit that can be stored for two weeks without a significant deterioration in quality, and having a plant with an average height of 138.4 cm, an average width of 185.5 cm, and a semi-erect growth habit, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Driscoll's, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Caster, Arlen Draper, Jennifer K. Izzo
  • Raspberry plant named ‘NN08002’
    Patent number: PP28934
    Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from a controlled cross between ‘Wakefield’ (seed parent) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,185) and ‘NR14’ (pollen parent) (not patented). The new variety is distinguished from others by large, very firm fruit that have a medium red skin colour, and ripen midseason. Fruit of the new variety appears very suitable for machine harvesting and the process fruit market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Pacific Berries LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Stephens
  • plant named ‘SWV 25’
    Patent number: PP28935
    Abstract: A new and distinct short day Mediterranean cultivar of strawberry plant named ‘SWV 25’ that is characterized by its early to mid-season berry crop, its compact and semi-upright plant habit, its moderate growth rate, berries that are medium red in color, conical in shape, uniform and medium to large in size, its berries with skin that is very firm with a highly glossy surface in texture and firm flesh with resistance to bruising, its fruit that is low in acid with a consistent level of sugars and an excellent eating quality, and its high fruit yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: EDWARD VINSON LTD.
    Inventors: Peter Edward Vinson, Ilona Eva McCarthy, Simon Peter Warren
  • plant named ‘JN6’
    Patent number: PP28936
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Cornus kousa plant named, ‘JN6’, that is characterized by its foliage that is dark green with a bluish cast in color and a glossy sheen, its leaves that are large in size, and its vigorous growth habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventors: Ray Jackson, Cindy Jackson
  • plant named ‘NCIV3’
    Patent number: PP28937
    Abstract: ‘NCIV3’ is a new male tetraploid cultivar of deciduous holly with a compact, roughly rounded growth habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventor: Thomas Green Ranney
  • plant named ‘NCIV2’
    Patent number: PP28938
    Abstract: ‘NCIV2’ is a new tetraploid cultivar of deciduous holly with a compact, roughly rounded growth habit, and prolific, large, showy orange fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: North Carollna State University
    Inventor: Thomas Green Ranney
  • plant named ‘SCHROLL 116-09-01a’
    Patent number: PP28939
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL116-09-01a’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and strong stems; large mophead-type inflorescences with light pink-colored sterile flowers that are initially greenish white in color during early development; long flowering period; and strong root system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Schroll Management ApS
    Inventor: Soren Schroll
  • plant named ‘SCHROLL88-09-02’
    Patent number: PP28940
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL88-09-02’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and strong stems; relatively small leaves; large mophead-type inflorescences; dark purple-colored sterile flowers that are initially light yellow green in color when plants are treated with aluminum sulfate; and early and long flowering period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Scholl Management ApS
    Inventor: Soren Schroll
  • plant named ‘SCHROLL124-09-01’
    Patent number: PP28941
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL124-09-01’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and strong stems; large mophead-type inflorescences with pink-colored sterile flowers that are initially green in color during early development; and long flowering period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Scholl Management ApS
    Inventor: Soren Schroll
  • plant named ‘Zanmupop’
    Patent number: PP28942
    Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘Zanmupop’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with pink ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flowering date October 10; blooming for a period of 5 weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Chrysanthenum Breeders Association Research B.V.
    Inventor: Henricus Cornelius Maria Jacobs
  • orchid plant named ‘PHALDUXHA’
    Patent number: PP28943
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALDUXHA’, particularly characterized by having white flowers, 1 to 4 peduncles that are long and sturdy, leaves that are obovate, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ANTHURA B.V.
    Inventor: Martinus Nicolaas Gerardus Van Swieten
  • orchid plant named ‘PHALFOREI’
    Patent number: PP28944
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALFOREI’, particularly characterized by having very white flowers, 1 to 3 peduncles that are medium-long and sturdy, leaves that are obovate, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ANTHURA B.V.
    Inventor: Martinus Nicolaas Gerardus Van Swieten
  • plant named ‘ANTHEUBP’
    Patent number: PP28945
    Abstract: A new compact Anthurium plant named ‘ANTHEUBP’ particularly distinguished by having shiny, bright pink, orbicular-cordate and very durable large spathes that retain the original color for a very long period of time, dark green and elliptical cordate, durable leaves, white spadix with yellow-green tip, early and rich flowering continuously throughout the year and a plant height of 34.0 cm to 38.0 cm, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ANTHURA B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Van Dijk
  • plant named ‘Flambeau’
    Patent number: PP28946
    Abstract: A new and distinct Echinopsis cultivar named ‘Flambeau’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive magenta and orange flowers in a triple whorl produced over a 6 to 7 month period. Plants are fast growing and very free offsetting, resulting in both improved propagation rates and improved finished plant production times. Echinopsis is an ornamental cactus, useful as an indoor ornamental plant and outdoors in warm climates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Altman Specialty Plants, Inc.
    Inventor: Renee O'Connell
  • plant named ‘AMIAL1619’
    Patent number: PP28947
    Abstract: A new and distinct Aloe aristata cultivar named ‘AMIAL1619’ which is characterized by erect foliage that is arranged in a spreading basal rosette, with foliage in the innermost whorls held very tightly. The large deltoid foliage exhibits a soft mucronulate apex, dark green general coloration, and is densely covered with prominent papillae, many of which bear spines. Papillae on the abaxial leaf surface are arranged in distinct transverse rows. The new variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: NovoAmi B.V.
    Inventor: Gerard van Langen
  • plant named ‘AMIAL1614’
    Patent number: PP28948
    Abstract: A new and distinct Aloe aristata cultivar named ‘AMIAL1614’ which is characterized by erect foliage arranged in a basal rosette, dark green foliage which is densely covered with large white papillae and prominent spines along the margins, papillae on the abaxial leaf surface which are arranged in distinct transverse rows, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: NovoAmi B.V.
    Inventor: Gerard van Langen
  • Coleus plant named ‘SAKCOL019’
    Patent number: PP28949
    Abstract: A coleus plant particularly distinguished by large leaves and yellow-green leaves with green margins, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sakata Seed Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Ikeno, Rei Takahashi
  • plant named ‘TNAGAPDB’
    Patent number: PP28950
    Abstract: A new and distinct form of Agastache plant characterized by purple blue flowers in large inflorescences, a long bloom time, a very short, compact habit, and excellent vigor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
    Inventor: Janet N. Egger
  • plant named ‘PKM05’
    Patent number: PP28951
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Campanula plant named ‘PKM05’, characterized by its compact plant habit; globular plant form; vigorous growth habit; double white flowers and small leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Gartneriet PKM A/S
    Inventor: Christian Hald Madsen
  • plant named ‘Tweety’
    Patent number: PP28952
    Abstract: A new cultivar of hybrid Echinacea named ‘Tweety’ characterized by its very compact plant habit, its inflorescences with ray florets that are orange-yellow in color and elliptic in shape surrounding bright orange disk florets, and its strong flowering stems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Derrick Cornelis Bol
  • Stable natural color process, products and use thereof
    Patent number: RE46695
    Abstract: A method of preparing colored products from edible materials comprises processing Genipa americana fruit juice, which contains genipin, genipin derivatives, or pre-genipin compounds, with other edible juices or extracts which contain nitrogenous compounds such as amino acids, polypeptides, or proteins. The generated natural colored products have excellent stability and can be used in a broad range of applications including beverages, foodstuffs, drugs, dietary supplements, cosmetics, personal care stuffs, and animal feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: WILD Flavors, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaowen Wu, Chad Ford, Gregory Horn
  • Prophy cup for dental handpiece
    Patent number: RE46696
    Abstract: A prophy cup has an outer surface with dimples formed therein. The dimples increase the turbulent flow in a boundary layer proximate to the surface. The increased turbulent flow reduces the separation of fluid (a slurry of saliva, blood and pumice) at the boundary layer to minimize the quantity of fluid ejected from the surface. A dental handpiece housing is configured to split longitudinally so that a wiper is positioned proximate to the outer surface of the prophy cup. The wiper removes slurry as the prophy cup rotates during a dental cleaning procedure to further reduce the quantity of fluid ejected from the surface during the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: AKHA Limited
    Inventor: Ajay Kumar
  • Use of endovascular hypothermia in organ and/or tissue transplantations
    Patent number: RE46697
    Abstract: Methods for (a) preventing hypoxic damage to a potentially transplantable organ or tissue prior to explanation of that organ or tissue from the body of a mammalian transplant donor and (b) preventing rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue in a human or veterinary transplant recipient. The methods comprise placing a heat exchange apparatus in the vasculature of the donor or recipient and using that heat exchange apparatus to cool at least a portion of the body of the donor or recipient to a temperature below normothermia (e.g. below normothermia and sometimes between about 30° C. and about 36° C.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ZOLL Circulation, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Hayes, Jr.
  • Use of cyclohexanol derivatives as antimicrobial active compounds
    Patent number: RE46698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one cyclohexanol derivative of the formula (I) and/or (II) as antimicrobial active compound or as anti-acne, antidandruff, antiperspirant or deodorant active compound, to preparations comprising these compounds, and to specific cyclohexanol derivatives and to a process for the preparation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: MERCK PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Rudolph, Tatjana Best
  • Low impedance oxide resistant grounded capacitor for an AIMD
    Patent number: RE46699
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed filtered feedthrough assembly for an AIMD includes an insulator hermetically sealed to a conductive ferrule or housing. A conductor is hermetically sealed and disposed through the insulator in non-conductive relation to the conductive ferrule or housing between a body fluid side and a device side. A feedthrough capacitor is disposed on the device side. A first low impedance electrical connection is between a first end metallization of the capacitor and the conductor. A second low impedance electrical connection is between a second end metallization of the capacitor and the ferrule or housing. The second low impedance electrical connection includes an oxide-resistant metal addition attached directly to the ferrule or housing and an electrical connection coupling the second end metallization electrically and physically directly to the oxide-resistant metal addition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Woods, Richard L. Brendel, Robert A. Stevenson, Christopher Michael Williams, Robert Naugler, Christine A. Frysz
  • Z-filter media pack arrangement; and, methods
    Patent number: RE46700
    Abstract: Z-filter media pack arrangements and methods for providing them are described. The preferred arrangements have a cured-in-place jacket around an outside of a coiled z-filter media combination. The preferred cured-in-place jacket is a mold-in-place overmold which includes, integral therein, a housing seal arrangement. Preferably a cured-in-place center core is used, most preferably one that has opposite concave ends with seal arrangements configured to seal a lead end portion of the coiled z-filter media combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Schrage, Eugene Lensing, Jeff Rahlf, Wayne Bishop, Gregory Reichter, Benny Nelson, Rodger Spears, Bruce Crenshaw, Vladimir Kladnitsky
  • Fiber optic local convergence points for multiple dwelling units
    Patent number: RE46701
    Abstract: There are provided fiber optic local convergence points (“LCPs”) adapted for use with multiple dwelling units (“MDUs”) that facilitate relatively easy installation and/or optical connectivity to a relatively large number of subscribers. The LCP includes a housing mounted to a surface, such as a wall, and a cable assembly with a connector end to be optically connected to a distribution cable and a splitter end to be located within the housing. The splitter end includes at least one splitter and a plurality of subscriber receptacles to which subscriber cables may be optically connected. The splitter end of the cable assembly of the LCP may also include a splice tray assembly and/or a fiber optic routing guide. Furthermore, a fiber distribution terminal (“FDT”) may be provided along the subscriber cable to facilitate installation of the fiber optic network within the MDU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Guy Castonguay, Terry Dean Cox, Thomas Shaw Liggett, Selena Strickland, Elli Makrides-Saravanos, Brent Michael Frazier, Daniel S. McGranahan, Raymond Glenn Jay
  • Semiconductor storage device comprising magnetic tunnel junction elements and write amplifiers
    Patent number: RE46702
    Abstract: A memory according to an embodiment includes bit lines, word lines, source lines, magnetic tunnel junction elements and transistors that are serially connected between the bit lines and the source lines, respectively, and a sense amplifier that detects data stored in the magnetic tunnel junction elements. The semiconductor storage device includes multiplexers between the bit lines and the sense amplifier in order to select one of the bit lines to be connected to the sense amplifier, and write amplifiers that are located corresponding to memory cell blocks each of which includes memory cells each including the magnetic tunnel junction element and the transistor and are connected to the bit lines or connected via the multiplexers to the bit lines. To write data, the sense amplifier applies a write voltage to the bit lines and then the write amplifiers hold the write voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Hoya, Kenji Tsuchida
  • High frequency, high reflection pre-matching tuners with variable zero initialization
    Patent number: RE46703
    Abstract: Automatic microwave pre-matching tuners with new zero positioning capability allowing for a minimum idle airline section between pre-matching and tuning section, thus minimizing insertion loss and enhancing high reflection tuning capability at high frequencies and tuner calibration algorithm of the pre-matching section over one half of a wavelength and of the tuning section over one full wavelength at each operation frequency and associated tuning and measurement operation algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Method for establishing packet-switched connection, and cellular network utilizing the method, and cellular terminal
    Patent number: RE46704
    Abstract: The invention relates to method applicable in a packet-switched cellular network for voice connections, by which method a new dedicated channel can be established quickly using the existing dedicated channel of the voice connection. The establishment of the new dedicated channel utilizes the previous dedicated channel the existence of which is extended by sending to at least the receiving terminals post-speech packets according to the invention. The post-speech packets produce a 2-second delay, approximately, which is sufficient to establish a new dedicated channel between terminals participating in a session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Kuure, Markku Vimpari, Jari Vallstrom, Timo Vittaniemi, Hannu Toyryla
  • Soil working machines including height and pitch tool adjustability
    Patent number: 9883621
    Abstract: Unique self-propelled soil working machines are disclosed. In certain exemplary embodiments the self propelled soil working machine includes a tool carrier which is actively adjustable to provide variable downward force on a soil working tool via a suspension element which is further passively responsive to accommodate motion of the tool in response to external force. In certain exemplary embodiments, the tool carrier is configured to adjust the working depth and pitch of the tool. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and figures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ABI ATTACHMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin V. Keigley
  • Vehicle control system
    Patent number: 9883622
    Abstract: A tractor control system, which controls an operating condition of an implement attached to the tractor. The control system includes a sensing means providing a force signal which indicates the pull force necessary to pull an implement in a desired position; a control which receives the force signal; and means for measuring at least one parameter associated with the tractor mode and/or the implement mode and the implement position is adjusted to a new position when the force signal varies. The control system includes pre-determined values associated with certain tractor and/or implement modes. A measured parameter is compared with a pre-determined parameter value and if the measured parameter would result in an undesired movement of the implement, the force signal is deactivated, or the response to the force signal is deactivated to prevent undesired movement of the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Gschwendtner, Guenther Ostenried, Ulrich Stich, Werner Unsinn
  • Agricultural toolbar apparatus, systems, and methods
    Patent number: 9883623
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for shifting weight between a tractor and toolbar and between sections of the toolbar and for folding a toolbar between a work position and a transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Dale M. Koch, Jason J. Stoller
  • Row unit for a seeding machine with dual seed meters
    Patent number: 9883624
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine has a seed meter assembly having first and second reservoirs for holding a first pool of seeds and a second pool of seeds, respectively. The seed meter assembly is operable to selectively transport seeds from the first pool and seeds from the second pool. The row unit also has a conveyor with a conduit for receiving seeds and configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine, and a seed loader disposed between the seed meter assembly and the conveyor for directing the seeds from the seed meter assembly to the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kriss Helmick, Keith L. Felton, Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Crop input variety selection systems
    Patent number: 9883625
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting an agricultural input. First and second seed meters selectively meter seed from first and second sources, respectively, into a common planting trench. In some embodiments the seed meters are selectively operated by electric motors controlled with reference to a seed type prescription. In some embodiments the first and second seed meters deposit seeds along a common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Dale Koch, Todd Swanson
  • Controlling an agricultural vehicle based on sensed inputs
    Patent number: 9883626
    Abstract: A variable is sensed that is indicative of a performance of a machine. A rate of change of the sensed variable is determined, and a control signal is generated for controlling an agricultural vehicle, based upon the rate of change in the value of the sensed variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Brianna L. Heim, Charles T. Graham, James R. Peterson, Donald Landphair, James Z. Liu
  • Device for picking up harvested root crop
    Patent number: 9883627
    Abstract: A pick-up arrangement for picking up harvested crop, comprises a pick-up device which has a pick-up device frame defining a pick-up opening located on a pick-up side of the pick-up device and a pick-up member, located on the pick-up side and, adapted to pick-up harvested crop and defining a pick-up width, and a guiding device adapted to guide harvested crop located outside the pick-up width into the pick-up opening. The pick-up device defines a pick-up direction. The guiding device comprises a guiding device frame and a first guiding member extending outside the pick-up width, being rotatably mounted with respect to the guiding device frame, and being adapted to transport harvested crops located outside the pick-up width into the pick-up opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: EXEL INDUSTRIES
    Inventors: Sebastian Polster, Stephan Engl
  • Anti-wind/anti-wrapping assembly for trimmers
    Patent number: 9883628
    Abstract: An anti-winding assembly reduces or prevents debris from winding on a trimmer and/or makes them easier to remove. The trimmer includes a trimmer head mounted to a rotatable arbor and supporting one or more cutting lines. The anti-winding assembly includes a bearing positionable between the trimmer head and an adjacent trimmer component. The bearing includes a freely rotating outer race. A shield positioned radially outward of the bearing adjacent the outer race shields gaps between the bearing and the trimmer head and between the bearing and the adjacent trimmer component. The anti-winding assembly prevents trimmed debris from being wound up near the trimmer head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: AERO-FLEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Vincent D. Morabit
  • Ground treatment device
    Patent number: 9883629
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing a ground treatment, such as aeration or dethatching, is provided. The apparatus includes a base frame component to which a pair of angled side frame components are pivotally mounted. Each angled side frame can include first and second ends that are oriented to form a central angle. A first end of an angled side frame can be pivotally attached to a wheel and/or the base frame component, while the second end can include a mechanism for mounting a ground treatment component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Innovative Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Eden T. Smith, Todd M. Smith
  • Nut windrow gatherer
    Patent number: 9883630
    Abstract: A nut windrow gatherer for use in organizing and shaping the end of a nut windrow. The present system has a housing with two sidewalls, a rear spoiler plate, and two splayed arms affixed to a front side of the housing. There is a support arm configured to mount the housing to a vehicle and adapted to adjust the pitch and roll of the housing to ensure that the bottom surfaces of the splayed arms are in constant contact with the orchard floor. When the housing is controlled by a vehicle, the sidewalls and rear spoiler plate are configured to gather nuts that are spread out on an orchard floor and transport them in order to reduce the length of a nut windrow, leaving sufficient room for harvesting equipment to maneuver into an orchard throughway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Cody Russell
  • Crop processing apparatus in a combine harvester
    Patent number: 9883631
    Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing unit arranged to receive and thresh a crop stream. Separating apparatus are located downstream and rearward of the threshing unit and are arranged to receive the threshed crop stream and convey such a rearward direction. The front of a return pan, disposed below the separating apparatus, overlaps the rear of a stratification pan, disposed below the threshing unit. The stratification pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a primary grain/chaff stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the primary grain/chaff stream falls under gravity into a cleaning unit. The return pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a secondary grain/chaff stream forwardly to a front edge from where the secondary grain/chaff stream falls under gravity to combine with the primary grain/chaff stream on the stratification pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO A/S
    Inventor: Morten Leth Bilde
  • Strap gripper for an agricultural baler
    Patent number: 9883632
    Abstract: An agricultural baler including a sealing assembly positioned adjacent to a baling chamber. The sealing assembly is configured to receive a strap and to seal the strap into a loop around compressible material within the baling chamber to form a strapped bale. The agricultural baler also includes a strap gripper positioned adjacent to the sealing assembly. In some embodiments, the strap gripper includes a pivot plate, a guide wheel rotatably coupled to the pivot plate, and a drive wheel. The pivot plate is biased to rotate about an axis in a first direction to urge the guide wheel toward the drive wheel, and the drive wheel and the guide wheel are configured to receive the strap after the strap is looped around the compressible material, to block movement of the strap away from the sealing assembly, and to drive the strap toward the sealing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Dominick Brian Rizzon, Joshua Lee Lounder, Robert D. Crandall, Shaun Ahrens O'Donnell
  • Knotter system for a baler
    Patent number: 9883633
    Abstract: A knotter system has a bill hook, a twine receiver, a cutting arm and drive components. The twine receiver is adapted to let the twines slip during a second full rotation of the bill hook so that cutting of the twines is avoided when forming the second knot. The drive components can maintain the cutting arm in the extended position after the second rotation of the bill hook for a predetermined period which is sufficient to allow removal of the second knot from the bill hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Frederik Demon
  • Attachment for air blower
    Patent number: 9883634
    Abstract: An adjustable attachment for a landscaping air blower includes a mounting tube, a nozzle and a connecting ring that rotatably couples the mounting ring and the nozzle. The upstream end of the nozzle defines a circle aligned at an acute angle to the axis of the nozzle and the downstream end of the mounting tube defines a circle aligned at an acute angle to the axis of the mounting tube. Rotation of the nozzle about its axis changes the alignment of the axis of the nozzle relative to the axis of the mounting tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Franco Romito