Famous Patents
3M employee and church chorister Art Fry needed something to temporarily mark pages in his hymnal. He was in luck because his colleague, Spencer Silver, accidentally developed a glue that was too weak for other purposes. After initially discouraging consumer response, Post-it Notes became a hit in 1979.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7717047 | Friction drive population control for a planter A friction drive for an agricultural planter has a linear actuator, which may be hydraulically or pneumatically controlled, to selectively raise or lower a drive wheel into frictional engagement with a carrying wheel. A valve network is fluidly associated with the l... | 05/18/2010 |
| 7356980 | Automated method for packaging food An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispens... | 04/15/2008 |
| 7341009 | Seed hopper A seed dispensing hopper having openings in which picker wheels are rotatably disposed. The picker wheels are disposed in a seed bin shaped to direct seed towards the picker wheels. Flexible elements rotate about an axis of the hopper and are aligned over the picker... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7337594 | Food dispensing device and method An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispens... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7303776 | Automated food processing system and method An automated food processing system and method that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, such as an individual portion-sized container. The system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. ... | 12/04/2007 |
| 7273016 | Variable speed drive for agricultural seeding machines An agricultural seeding machine includes a mechanical drive; a seed meter including a driven shaft; and a planetary gear set. The planetary gear set includes an input shaft connected with the drive, an output shaft connected with the driven shaft, a ring gear, and a... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7185596 | Seed slide for use in an agricultural seeding machine A seeding machine includes at least one seed metering system and at least one seed placement system. Each seed placement system is in communication with a corresponding seed metering system. Each seed placement system includes a seed slide having a bottom end and a ... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7162963 | Adjustable singulating brush assembly and method of singulating seeds An adjustable singulating brush assembly for a seed meter and method to improve seed singulation of a seed meter. The assembly includes a carrier and a brush selectively adjustably moveable with respect to the carrier. The method to improve seed singulation of a see... | 01/16/2007 |
| 7100522 | Equalizing meter device A system for and a method of metering product includes an equalizing meter apparatus that more readily equalizes the distribution of product with uneven distribution systems. The metering system includes a meter roller assembly operable to meter granular product del... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7083067 | Universal seed metering disc The present invention is a seed metering disc for the distribution and planting of various sizes of seeds. The seed metering disc is defined by a set of seed cells which can accommodate various seed sizes in that each cell is defined by a recess, seed cell retention... | 08/01/2006 |
| 7040242 | Internal tank augers for air seeder hoppers An air seeder is provided having at least one container with a trough in the bottom floor. Preferably, the floor is formed with a v-shaped configuration converging at a metering mechanism. An auger is rotatably mounted in the trough to move particulate material to t... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7025010 | Flow splitter arrangement for series fed product application units A product-on-demand delivery system applies an agricultural product, such as seed, to a field. The system includes a frame that mounts a main hopper, a splitter fitting, a primary product hose, a secondary product hose, a primary application unit and a secondary app... | 04/11/2006 |
| 6960157 | Automated system and method for handling food containers An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispens... | 11/01/2005 |
| 6937939 | Soil measuring instrument, soil measurement assisting device and method, recorded medium on which a program is recorded, recorded medium on which data is recorded, application amount controller, application amount determining device, method for them, and farm working determination assisting system A model for determining the type of soil, the water content of a soil, and the soil properties, and a soil measurement data storage portion (60) to store therein measurement data necessary to carry out the model and correlated with specific measurement condit... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6935256 | Agitation system for an agricultural machine product distribution system A control system selectively operates an agitator within a main hopper or bulk tank for a product-on-demand delivery system. A differential pressure switch is used to control operation of the agitator. The differential pressure switch measures the pressure differenc... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6918342 | Planter bracket assembly for supporting appurtenances in substantial alignment with the seed tube An improved bracket assembly for supporting seed planting appurtenances in substantial alignment with respect to a seed tube of an agricultural planter. The bracket assembly comprises a housing having opposing first and second sides. The housing includes mounting st... | 07/19/2005 |
| 6904851 | Internal tank augers for air seeder hoppers An air seeder is provided having at least one container with a trough in the bottom floor. Preferably, the floor is formed with a v-shaped configuration converging at a metering mechanism. An auger is rotatably mounted in the trough to move particulate material to t... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6907319 | System for the application of pesticides A system for the variable rate application of pesticides is provides, comprising a) a vehicle capable of traversing an agricultural production area; b) at least one sensor for attachment to said vehicle for direct sensing plant and/or condition data on said agricult... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6901869 | Picker assembly for potato planter A pick assembly for picking potatoes from a supply in a potato planter and moving them to a discharge position includes an arm that supports a plurality of picks that will engage the potatoes. The arm is mounted on a rotating wheel, and the picks are held in the arm... | 06/07/2005 |
| 6834600 | Plot planter A plot planter includes a top valve, two finger pickup units, a bottom valve and a controller. A top valve including a sliding block movable between a first block position and a second block position and has a first seed chamber adapted to receive a first type of se... | 12/28/2004 |
| 6729249 | Seed belt housing with impact absorbing material to reduce seed skip and method for same An improved seed belt housing to reduce seed skip and method for same. The seed belt housing having a modified back panel with an area of impact absorbing material disposed at least in the area where the seed normally hits the back panel of the seed belt housing aft... | 05/04/2004 |
| 6729250 | Coupling for a flexible rotatable drive shaft A flexible rotatable drive shaft is provided with a first male coupling that is received in a second female coupling located on a gearbox. The male coupling has two circumferential grooves that define a first fully engaged position and a second intermediate engaged ... | 05/04/2004 |
| 6718891 | Row control system for vacuum operated seed planter A seed planter having a plurality of vacuum operated seed metering units includes a valve assembly connected between the metering units and the vacuum manifold permitting discrete control of the operation of each metering unit. ... | 04/13/2004 |
| 6715433 | Restraint for a flexible drive shaft gearbox A flexible rotatable drive shaft is used to drive a seed meter of a seeding machine. The seeding machine is provided with a seed meter gearbox. The seed meter gearbox has a flexible rotatable drive shaft receiving portion and a gear receiving portion. The gearbox ou... | 04/06/2004 |
| 6708854 | Dispenser of substances for agricultural uses A dispenser of substances for agricultural uses, to include a container (10) for holding the substances to be dispensed, a rotator (17) that is rotatably inside the container and provide with a cladding (20) of soft material, and a guiding disc ... | 03/23/2004 |
| 6688244 | Product on demand delivery system A product on demand delivery system directs product from a main hopper to an application unit. An air pump directs pressurized air to a plurality of air supply hoses. The air supply hoses are coupled to air inlets located on the nozzle assembly of the mai... | 02/10/2004 |
| 6681706 | Apparatus and method for controlled delivery of seeds to an open furrow An apparatus and method for controlled delivery of seeds between the seed meter of an agricultural planter to an open seed furrow. Seeds are received individually and in a sequence from a seed meter into a housing. The seeds are conveyed in sequence throu... | 01/27/2004 |
| 6672228 | Continuous seed metering system A device for planting different varieties of seeds is provided with a seed hopper or carousel that is selectively placed in open communication with a plurality of seed metering devices. A selectively positionable gate member directs the seeds to specific ... | 01/06/2004 |
| 6640733 | Inclinometer-controlled apparatus for varying the rate of seed population An apparatus for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills, comprising first and second squeeze jack variable speed pulleys, and a belt running around the pulleys; a cog mounted on the first pulley and a cog mounted on the second pulley, a... | 11/04/2003 |
| 6634522 | Universal seed metering disc The present invention is a seed metering disc for the distribution and planting of various sizes of seeds. The seed metering disc is defined by a set of seed cells which can accommodate various seed sizes in that each cell is defined by a recess, seed cel... | 10/21/2003 |
| 6619219 | Garlic upright-positioning and planting device A garlic upright-positioning and planting device has a simple structure by which a garlic clove can be planted while the garlic clove is kept at its upright posture with its blunt root portion directed toward the ground. There is provided a garlic plantin... | 09/16/2003 |
| 6609468 | Product on demand delivery system having an agitator assembly A product on demand delivery system directs product from a main hopper to an application unit. An air pump directs pressurized air to a plurality of air supply hoses. The air supply hoses are coupled to air inlets located on the nozzle assembly of the mai... | 08/26/2003 |
| 6604475 | Drive mechanism for seed metering device Seeding apparatus has an opener mounted on the main frame in such a manner that the driven sprocket of a seed metering device on the opener moves slightly toward and away from the axis of the drive sprocket on the main frame as the opener moves up and dow... | 08/12/2003 |
| 6584920 | System and method for adjusting air flow in air seeding applications A system for maintaining an appropriate air flow in an air stream in an air seeder. A fan provides an air stream to carry agricultural materials for distribution across a width of a seeding implement. A tank contains a granular agricultural material and a... | 07/01/2003 |
| 6477967 | Seed planter A seed planter is pulled behind a tractor and deposits seeds into an underlying trench in soil. The seed planter contains (a) a seed hopper for holding a quantity of seeds; (b) a seed meter for metering the flow of seeds to be planted which drops seed int... | 11/12/2002 |
| 6463866 | Apparatus for varying the rate of seed population An apparatus for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills, comprising first and second squeeze jack variable speed pulleys, and a belt running around the pulleys; a cog mounted on the first pulley and a cog mounted on the second pulley, a... | 10/15/2002 |
| 6463357 | Method and system for precision operational control of automated machines A system and method for precision operational control of automated machines includes a motion element, an IMU (Inital Measuring Unit) installed at an end effector of the motion element for sensing and providing a motion measurement of the motion element, ... | 10/08/2002 |
| 6357369 | Rotating seed drill A device (101) deposits a plurality of seeds in a sequential manner below a soil surface (101). The device is propelled along the soil surface. The device also has a container (130) for the plurality of seeds, the container having at least one outlet port... | 03/19/2002 |
| 6347595 | Distributor of horticultural seeds for a sowing agricultural implement A distributor of horticultural seeds for a sowing agricultural implement, comprising a casing (10) and a disc (20) rotatably mounted inside the casing (10), dividing the latter into a seed chamber (CS) and in a suction chamber (CA) maintained in fluid com... | 02/19/2002 |
| 6285938 | Primer system for agriculture product distribution machines A primer system for agricultural product distribution machines, such as an agricultural air seeder, a precision planter, a sprayer, or the like, includes a tank or a bin for holding the product, a distribution system for conveying and distributing the pro... | 09/04/2001 |
