la Interdigitated Cellular Cushioning By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An interdigitated cellular cushioning system includes an array of void cells protruding from each of two sheet layers interdigitated between the two sheet layers. Peaks of each of the void cells are attached to the opposite sheet layer forming the interdigitated cellular cushioning system. The interdigitated cellular cushioning system may be used to absorb and distribute a source of kinetic energy incident on the interdigitated cellular cushioning system (e.g., an impact or explosion) so that the amount of force transmitted through the interdigitated cellular cushioning system is low enough that it does not cause injury to personnel or damage to personnel and/or equipment adjacent the interdigitated cellular cushioning system. Full Article
la Carbon dioxide-based geothermal energy generation systems and methods related thereto By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system comprises an injection well for accessing a reservoir containing a native fluid comprising a hydrocarbon. The reservoir is located below one or more caprocks, is at a first temperature, and is accessible without using large-scale hydrofracturing. The system further includes a production well in fluid communication with the reservoir, a supply apparatus configured to feed a non-water based working fluid at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature through the injection well to the reservoir. The working fluid mixes with the native fluid to form a production fluid comprising at least a portion of the working fluid and at least a portion of the hydrocarbon at a third temperature that is higher than the second temperature. An energy recovery apparatus in fluid communication with the productions well converts energy contained in the production fluid to electricity, heat, or combinations thereof. Full Article
la Apparatus and method for rapidly producing synthetic gas from bio-diesel by-product using microwave plasma By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided are an apparatus and a method for rapidly producing a synthetic gas from a bio-diesel byproduct using microwave plasma, in which, while a plasma flame is generated by a plasma generator and waste glycerin, a bio-diesel byproduct, as fuel, is gasified by being supplied to the generated plasma flame of high temperature, the fuel is supplied in various types to increase the contact time or the contact area with the plasma flame and thus promote gasification thereof and the contents of steam and oxygen supplied and the plasma power are controlled to increase the collection amount of combustible gas and thus allow rapid production of the synthetic gas. Full Article
la Enhanced plasma gasifiers for producing syngas By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plasma gasification reactor, and process for its operation, with one or both of, first, a quench zone within an upper part of a top section of the reactor and, second, feed ports through a lateral wall of a middle section of the reactor for supplying feed material to a feed bed within the middle section and the feed ports located proximate the feed bed. The quench zone is provided with nozzles for introducing a fluid to reduce the temperature of molten solid bits sufficiently to minimize their sticking within external ductwork. The middle section feed port arrangement assists in more thorough reaction of light particles in the feed material that may otherwise exit with gaseous products. Full Article
la Staged combustion of sulfureous combustible effluents with recovery of the sulfur in the claus process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for advantageously efficiently treating a sulfureous combustible effluent stream by recovering the sulfur in elemental form comprises a step of combustion of the sulfureous combustible effluent stream with an oxidant gas in excess, and then a step of post-combustion of the effluents from the combustion step with an acidic gas. The stream of the post-combustion effluents, free of chemical compounds that are harmful to the efficacy of the Claus catalysts, is treated in a Claus unit, which performs the recovery of the sulfur in elemental form. Full Article
la Image displaying device and image displaying system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image displaying device includes: a display section cyclically switching a plurality of image streams, thereby time-divisionally displaying the plurality of image streams, each of the plurality of image streams being provided for corresponding one of a plurality of shutter mechanisms performing opening-closing operations at timings different from each other; and a dithering processing section performing a dithering process on a plurality of input images by using a plurality of masks, each of the plurality of masks having a pattern of two-dimensionally-arranged grayscale values, the pattern differing from a pattern of another mask, and then supplying a plurality of resultant images produced through the dithering process to the display section. The dithering processing section controls the dithering process in such a manner that the plurality of masks are sequentially and cyclically switched in synchronization with shutter open timings for each of the shutter mechanisms. Full Article
la Solids circulation system and method for capture and conversion of reactive solids By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A solids circulation system receives a gas stream containing char or other reacting solids from a first reactor. The solids circulation system includes a cyclone configured to receive the gas stream from the first reactor, a dipleg from the cyclone to a second reactor, and a riser from the second reactor which merges with the gas stream received by the cyclone. The second reactor has a dense fluid bed and converts the received materials to gaseous products. A conveying fluid transports a portion of the bed media from the second reactor through the riser to mix with the gas stream prior to cyclone entry. The bed media helps manipulate the solids that is received by the cyclone to facilitate flow of solids down the dipleg into the second reactor. The second reactor provides additional residence time, mixing and gas-solid contact for efficient conversion of char or reacting solids. Full Article
la Method for operating a reformer furnace and reforming plant By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for producing a synthesis-gas product gas and a vapor stream includes catalytic steam reforming a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in a steam reformer. The hot synthesis-gas product gas stream is cooled in a heat exchanger to form a cooled synthesis-gas product gas stream and a first partial vapor stream, which is supplied to the product vapor stream. The reforming furnace is operated so as to burn a burner feedstock in burners, cool a hot flue gas stream from the burners in a heat exchanger to form a cooled flue gas stream and a second partial vapor stream, and separate the cooled flue gas stream into a waste gas stream and a flue gas recirculation stream. The flow of the recirculated flue gas is increased with decreasing flow of the synthesis-gas product gas to obtain an approximately constant product vapor stream by increasing the second partial vapor stream. Full Article
la Method for forming synthesis gas using a plasma-catalyzed fuel reformer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of forming a synthesis gas utilizing a reformer is disclosed. The method utilizes a reformer that includes a plasma zone to receive a pre-heated mixture of reactants and ionize the reactants by applying an electrical potential thereto. A first thermally conductive surface surrounds the plasma zone and is configured to transfer heat from an external heat source into the plasma zone. The reformer further includes a reaction zone to chemically transform the ionized reactants into synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A second thermally conductive surface surrounds the reaction zone and is configured to transfer heat from the external heat source into the reaction zone. The first thermally conductive surface and second thermally conductive surface are both directly exposed to the external heat source. A corresponding apparatus and system are also disclosed herein. Full Article
la Solid feed systems for elevated pressure processes, gasification systems and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A solid feed system may comprise a supersonic nozzle, an isolated injection section having a port for injection of solid feedstock positioned downstream from the supersonic nozzle, and a supersonic diffuser positioned downstream from the isolated injection section. Additionally, a gasification system may comprise such a solid feed system and a reaction chamber downstream thereof. Furthermore, a method of reacting a solid feedstock under pressure may include directing a fluid flow through a supersonic nozzle to provide a supersonic flow stream, and directing the supersonic flow stream through an isolated injection section at a static pressure at least fifty percent (50%) lower than an operating pressure within a reaction chamber (e.g., at a static pressure near ambient pressure). Full Article
la Reforming process for synthesis gas production and related plant By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reforming process for synthesis gas (12) production from a mixture of hydrocarbons (14) comprises a first step, or pre-reforming step, in which a process mixture 18), comprising said mixture of hydrocarbons :14: and steam (16), is subjected to a preliminary catalytic conversion reaction, obtaining a partial conversion product (22) comprising hydrogen, carbon oxides and hydrocarbons, and a second step, or main reforming step, in which said partial conversion product (22) is subjected to a conversion completion reaction, obtaining said synthesis gas (12), said pre-reforming step being carried out in pseudo-isothermal conditions. Full Article
la METHOD OF OPERATING A CONNECTOR LATCH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus, such that the connector apparatus has at least a first connector assembly and a second connector assembly which can be mated together. Initially, after the connector latch is manufactured, the connector latch is in an undeflected position. After manufacture, the connector latch is subjected to a pre-mating deflection process, in order to move the connector latch into a preloaded position. After the pre-mating deflection process has been completed, the connector latch is locked in the preloaded position. The preloaded connector latch provides a number of desirable characteristics, including at least an extra loud “click” sound when the first connector assembly and the second connector assembly are mated together. Full Article
la CONNECTOR LATCH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus, such that the connector apparatus has at least a first connector assembly and a second connector assembly which can be mated together. Initially, after the connector latch is manufactured, the connector latch is in an undeflected position. After manufacture, the connector latch is subjected to a pre-mating deflection process, in order to deflect the connector latch into a preloaded position. After the pre-mating deflection process has been completed, the connector latch is locked in the preloaded position. The preloaded connector latch provides a number of desirable characteristics, including at least an extra loud “click” sound when the first connector assembly and the second connector assembly are mated together. Full Article
la FLEXIBLE FLAT CABLE STRUCTURE CAPABLE OF IMPROVING CROSSTALK INTERFERENCE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A flexible flat cable structure capable of improving crosstalk interference includes plural telecommunication signal conductors separated from one another and provided for transmitting differential signals, two support members installed on two lateral sides of the telecommunication signal conductor respectively, at least one filled material disposed between the telecommunication signal conductors. The ratio of the equivalent dielectric constant of the filled material to the equivalent dielectric constant of the support members falls within a range of 0.39˜0.27, and the ratio of the thickness of the filled material to the thickness of the support members falls within a range of 1.49˜1.37. Therefore, the flexible flat cable structure achieves the effects of reducing the time delay of the signal transmission of the flexible flat cable (FFC), suppressing the ringing noise of resonance, and improving the eye height of amplitude measurement, so as to suppress crosstalk interference and improve signal transmission quality effectively. Full Article
la HIGH DENSITY ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH SHIELD PLATE LOUVERS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electrical assembly has a lead frame with a plurality of elongated conductor sets and an insulative housing. Each conductor set has two differential signal pair conductors between a first ground conductor and a second ground conductor. A slot extends through the insulative housing and at least partially exposes the first ground conductor of a first conductor set and the second ground conductor of a second conductor set. A first ground shield has a first tab bent inward that extends into the slot from a first side of the lead frame. A second ground shield has second tab bent inward that extends into the slot from a second side of the lead frame. A conductive medium is provided in the slot to electrically connect the first tab, the second tab, the first ground conductor and the second ground conductor. Full Article
la ADAPTERS FOR ADAPTING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO A MODULAR ELECTRONIC DEVICE SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT There is provided an adapter for adapting an electronic device to a modular electronic device system. The adapter generally has a housing having two lateral edges, a cavity between the lateral edges and being adapted to receive the electronic device, each of the two lateral edges of the housing having at least one magnetic coupler electrically connectable with at least one magnetic coupler of the modular electronic device system by magnetically engaging the at least one magnetic coupler of the adapter with the at least one magnetic coupler of the modular electronic device system, and an internal electric conductor network electrically connected to the magnetic couplers of the adapter and electrically connected to an internal connector which is electrically connectable to the electronic device when received in the cavity of the housing. Full Article
la Multiport Radio Frequency Connector Isolation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Previously available elastomeric EMI gaskets provided for multiport RF connector assemblies have performance limiting drawbacks. Consequently, EM isolation provided by a previously available elastomeric EMI gasket is often inadequate. Various implementations disclosed herein include multiport RF connection arrangements that use a metal gasket arranged within at least a portion of an isolation space provided by a multiport RF connector. In some implementations, a multiport connection arrangement includes a substrate, a multiport RF connector and a fitted metal gasket. The substrate includes a first surface and a first plurality of connection ports. The multiport connector has a body that includes a second surface, a second plurality of connection ports, and includes an electromagnetic isolation boundary that defines an isolation space between at least two of the second plurality of connection ports terminating at the second surface. Mechanical fasteners are optional and are included to merely provide engagement, without substantial compressive force. Full Article
la Melamine methylol for abrasive products By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An abrasive product includes a plurality of abrasive particles and a resin binder cured from a resin composition that includes an aqueous dispersion of melamine methylol having a melamine-to-formaldehyde molar equivalent ratio of between about 1:1 and about 1:3.2, wherein the aqueous dispersion has a pH in a range of between about 8 and about 10. The composition also includes a formaldehyde-based resins, such as a urea-formaldehyde resin or phenol-formaldehyde resin. The melamine methylol comprises between about 1 wt % and about 50 wt % of the combined weight of the formaldehyde-based resin and the melamine methylol. Full Article
la PVD hybrid method for depositing mixed crystal layers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention concerns a method for depositing mixed crystal layers with at least two different metals on a substrate by means of PVD methods. To provide a method of depositing mixed crystal layers with at least two different metals on a substrate by means of PVD methods, which gives mixed crystal layers which are as free as possible of macroparticles (droplets) and which have a proportion as high as possible of a desired crystalline phase and which are highly crystalline, it is proposed according to the invention that deposition of the mixed crystal layer is effected with simultaneous application of i) the cathode sputtering method of dual magnetron sputtering or high power impulse magnetron sputtering and ii) arc vapour deposition. Full Article
la Plastic soft composition for polishing and for surface protective material application By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plastic soft composition is formed of soft base material constantly provided with plasticity, porous fine particles for polishing contained in the base material, and the like, and a polishing process and a coating process are performed to a painted surface and the like using the plastic soft composition. The fine particles for polishing are impregnated with a coating agent (a surface protective agent) added with an activator which is emulsified by contact with water, and the coating agent is held in concave portions formed in the fine particles. Both polishing work and coating work are achieved by sliding the plastic soft composition on a painted surface by a palm pressure of a user. Full Article
la Abrasive particles having particular shapes and methods of forming such particles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An abrasive article includes a shaped abrasive particle including a body having a first height (h1) at a first end of the body defining a corner between an upper surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, and a second height (h2) at a second end of the body opposite the first end defining an edge between the upper surface and a third side surface, wherein the average difference in height between the first height and the second height is at least about 50 microns. The body also includes a bottom surface defining a bottom area (Ab) and a cross-sectional midpoint area (Am) defining an area of a plane perpendicular to the bottom area and extending through a midpoint of the particle, the body has an area ratio of bottom area to midpoint area (Ab/Am) of not greater than about 6. Full Article
la Textured alumina layer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cutting tool insert for machining by chip removal comprising a body of a hard alloy of cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics or cubic boron nitride based material onto which a hard and wear resistant coating is deposited by CVD, and the methods of making and using the same. The coating includes at least one α-Al2O3 layer with a thickness between 0.5 μm and 40 μm having a {01-15} and/or {10-15} texture exhibiting excellent wear and metal cutting performance. Full Article
la Polishing composition and method utilizing abrasive particles treated with an aminosilane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The inventive method comprises chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with an inventive polishing composition comprising a liquid carrier and abrasive particles that have been treated with a compound. Full Article
la Cutting tool with multi-layer coating By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a cutting tool comprising a main part and a multilayer coating applied thereon. A first layer A made of a hard material is applied on the main part, said hard material being selected from titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN), titanium aluminum silicon nitride (TiAlSiN), chromium nitride (CrN), aluminum chromium nitride (AlCrN), aluminum chromium silicon nitride (AlCrSiN), and zirconium nitride (ZrN), and a second layer B made of silicon nitride (Si3N4) is applied directly over the first layer A. Full Article
la Method of manufacturing grooved chemical mechanical polishing layers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of manufacturing grooved polishing layers for use in chemical mechanical polishing pads is provided, wherein the formation of defects in the polishing layers are minimized. Full Article
la DUAL-POLARIZED, DUAL-BAND, COMPACT BEAM FORMING NETWORK By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A spacecraft communications payload includes a beam forming network (BFN), wherein the BFN includes a first feed waveguide and a first set of branch waveguides, each branch waveguide in the first set operating in a frequency band having a characteristic waveguide wavelength λg1. A proximal portion of the first set of branch waveguides is communicatively coupled with the first feed waveguide. A distal portion of the first set of branch waveguides is communicatively coupled by way of an array of slots with a plurality of radiating elements. A separation distance between adjacent slots in the array is approximately equal to λg, and the array of slots is configured as a honeycomb-like triaxial lattice. In some implementations, a compact BFN may be configured to simultaneously operate at two different polarizations (“dual-polarized”) and/or frequency bands (“dual-band”). Full Article
la System for Transmission and/or Reception of Signals Having Electromagnetic Modes With Orbital Angular Momentum, and Device and Method Thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system is described, along with the related device and method, for transmission and/or reception of signals having electromagnetic modes with orbital angular momentum (OAM), wherein the device is adapted to receive, at its input, electromagnetic signals from at least one transmitter, and is configured to apply a discrete Fourier transform to the electromagnetic signals in order to generate the signals having electromagnetic modes with orbital angular momentum. Full Article
la POLARIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR SUPPRESSION OF HARMONIC COUPLING AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system comprising: an interrogator device, comprising: a first transmit antenna configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals circularly polarized in a first rotational direction; and a first receive antenna configured to receive RF signals circularly polarized in a second rotational direction different from the first rotational direction; and a target device, comprising: a second receive antenna configured to receive RF signals circularly polarized in the first rotational direction and a second transmit antenna configured to transmit, to the interrogator device, RF signals circularly polarized in the second rotational direction. Full Article
la FREQUENCY MODULATED CONTINUOUS WAVE RADIO ALTIMETER SPECTRAL MONITORING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a radio altimeter tracking filter is provided. The filter comprises: a wireless radio interface; a processor coupled to the wireless radio interface; a memory coupled to the wireless radio interface; wherein the wireless radio interface is configured to wirelessly receive a radio altimeter signal and convert the radio altimeter signal to a baseband frequency signal, wherein the a radio altimeter signal sweeps across a first frequency spectrum between a first frequency and a second frequency; wherein the processor is configured to pass the baseband frequency signal through a filter executed by the processor, the filter comprising a passband having a first bandwidth, and wherein the filter outputs a plurality of spectral chirps in response to the baseband frequency signal passing through the first bandwidth; wherein the processor is configured to process the plurality of spectral chirps to output characteristic parameters that characterize the radio altimeter signal. Full Article
la Auxiliary Antenna Array for Wideband Sidelobe Cancellation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Described embodiments provide sidelobe cancellation for Simultaneous Transmit and Receive systems. The sidelobe cancellation system includes an array having a primary aperture and an auxiliary array. The auxiliary array includes a plurality of antenna elements disposed adjacent to at least one side of the primary aperture. Each element of the auxiliary array is coupled to a variable attenuator, a variable phase shifter or a variable true time delay unit. A controller tunes the auxiliary array to cancel sidelobes of the primary aperture by adaptively selecting an attenuation value of the variable attenuator, a phase shift value of the variable phase shifter and a time delay value of the variable true time delay unit for each element of the auxiliary array. The auxiliary array operates as an adaptive finite-impulse response (FIR) filter with each antenna element of the auxiliary array operating as an adaptive tap of the adaptive FIR filter. Full Article
la Magnetic Field Detector and Ground-Penetrating Radar Device with Merged Display By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a visual output of data from a ground-penetrating radar and magnetic field measuring device is displayed on a visual medium. The display has a first exhibition of output from the ground-penetrating radar device and a second from a magnetic field measuring device, such as a very low frequency (VLF) receiver. Using an identical axis, such as an X-axis measuring time or distance, output of each device is exhibited and overlaid over one another. In this manner, one can detect (using two different methodologies and uses) the visual exhibition of both to best determine the location of a metal or electrical target. Full Article
la PLASMA AVIATION ANTENNA By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An aircraft communications system may include a RF-transparent enclosure, a plasma antenna element and a controller. The RF-transparent enclosure may be disposed substantially conformal with a portion of the aircraft. The plasma antenna element may be housed within the RF-transparent enclosure. The controller may be operably coupled to the plasma antenna element to provide control of operation of the plasma antenna element. The plasma antenna element may include one or more RF-conductive plasma devices that are selectively ionized to a plasma state under control of the controller. Full Article
la Hierarchically Elaborated Phased-Array Antenna Modules and Method of Calibration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus consisting of hierarchically elaborated antenna modules is calibrated by steps. Although the AWV can be calculated mathematically based on the required phase shift values of each antenna element for a beam direction to compensate for signal delay. However, in practice, due to hardware implementation imperfection, coupling in signal path for each antenna element within hardware, inaccuracies of implementations, physical misalignment, the mathematically generated AWV does not necessarily provide alignment between transmit beam and receive beam. This subset is sufficient is all practical operation. The subset of AWVs are typically called codebook and the receiver beam points to different direction by using a AWV within the codebook. Full Article
la Final fabrication and calibration steps for hierarchically elaborated phased-array antenna and subarray manufacturing process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A process writes phase shift error correction values into a phased-array antenna to normalize a range of manufacturing variances. An axial ratio is determined for an antenna weight vector (AWV) by making multiple measurements with the horn of a test antenna mechanically rotating from 0 to 180 degree or with dual polarization test antenna. For calibration of the whole array, each subarray is treated in the same fashion as equivalent to an antenna element in the subarray calibration. The subarray is electronically rotated as a whole (all elements rotated by the same phase shift value) from 0 to 360 degree during the full array calibration. Due to small power variation among AWVs, calibration solely by REV results fail to consistently converge to resolution. Accordingly, the apparatus measures and compares axial ratios. During final fabrication, the apparatus programs an AWV with best axial ratio into each non-transitory array element. Full Article
la Plant growth medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A general purpose plant growth medium and planting methods incorporating shredded coastal redwood bark for use in planting. In some embodiments the shredded coastal redwood bark fibers vary in length from about 0.125-14 inches and comprise about 10-80 % of the plant growth medium volume. In some embodiments the plant growth medium is compacted to an approximate unhydrated density of about 200-400 pounds per cubic yard. Full Article
la Plant cultivation apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention discloses an apparatus to simplify an air supply path without damaging the merit of conventional culture apparatus. The apparatus is a culture apparatus which includes a row of a plurality of box-shaped containers for plant cultivation, and a row of lower stage containers arranged in the lower portion of the row, holding the upper stage container spaced as high as the height after growth of the plants to be cultivated. In each container, a support, a blocking film stretched between front and rear, right and left supports of the container are provided. In the one end of the rows of the containers, an air conditioner is arranged, and in another end, a turnaround chamber is provided. Full Article
la Vertical planter tray system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vertical planting tray comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal shelves held together by outer side walls and a plurality of vertical struts located therebetween with the struts connected to and supporting the shelves, the struts being substantially thin and narrow an defining a plurality of planting stations with the horizontal shelves in which vertical plants may be grown. The substantial open wall structure between stations permits improved plant performance. Full Article
la Assemblies, systems and methods for the transportation and display of plants and flowers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for efficient transportation and display of plants or flowers has been designed that contains two or more trays and a container. The first tray and alternative tray house the plants or flowers. The second tray, in which the first tray and alternative tray nest, allows for easy movement of the first tray, the alternative tray and the supply of water or nutrients. The container is designed to serve two functions, shipping and displaying. Full Article
la Method of treating plant growth media with multi-branched wetting agents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Certain novel formulations of plant growth media additives that act in such a manner as to permit proper amounts of moisture to contact root systems in order to reduce hydrophobicity within said media. The inventive formulation comprising multi-branched surfactant compounds with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents within each branch attached to a polyfunctional base compound permit effective moisture penetration through plant growth media for sustained seedling and plant growth therein. Such multi-branched wetting agents provide sustained moisture penetration over a sustained period of time, since the individual branches of such compounds may become dissociated from its base polyfunctional compound. Since such branches include both hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents themselves, and thus act as wetting agents, even after degradation of the initial surfactant compound, repeated wetting and moisture penetration, at least, are permitted. Methods of treating plant growth media with such compounds and formulations thereof are also contemplated within this invention. Full Article
la Method for improved plant breeding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved plant breeding system for high throughput analysis of plant phenotype and genotype is provided. A method for analyzing the impact of genetic modifications on plants and selecting a plant with a genetic modification of interest is also provided. Also provided is a method for developing marketable information for improved plant breeding and a method for collecting data on a selected plant phenotype for rapid analysis of the effect of a genetic modification on the selected phenotype. Full Article
la Method for determining hydration requirements of succulent plants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides an improved, quantitative, standardized method of hydrating succulent plants by a plant owner. The method includes calculating the amount of water and watering frequency required, depending on environmental conditions, such as substrate used to grow a plant, relative humidity and temperature, and using a demarcated container for watering the plant, all of which maintains and prolongs the health, vitality, beauty and longevity of the succulent plant. Full Article
la Assay for plant root pathogen activity By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for improving the sensitivity of an assay to determine the pathogenicity of a plant root pathogen using a soil amendment is presented. The method involves growing the plant root in the presence of a soil amendment after exposure of the plant root to the pathogen. A method of breeding plants is also provided. Full Article
la Automated systems for removing tissue samples from seeds, and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A seed sampling system is provided having an automated seed loading assembly including a seed bin and being operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds within the seed bin. The system also includes an automated seed sampling assembly operable to remove tissue samples from the singulated seeds, and an automated seed transport assembly operable to transfer the singulated seeds from the seed loading assembly to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly includes multiple retention members. Each of the retention members is movable relative to the seed loading assembly and to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly is operable to position one of the multiple retention members adjacent to the seed loading assembly for engaging one of the singulated seeds, while positioning another of the retention members adjacent to the seed sampling assembly for presenting another of the singulated seeds to the seed sampling assembly. Full Article
la Covers for plant-growing media By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cover for a plant-growing medium comprises a main cover portion, a peripheral base spaced from the main cover portion and defining an outer perimeter of the cover, and a peripheral wall extending from a first side of the main cover portion between the main cover portion and the peripheral base. One or more plant growth channels are defined by one or more tubes extending from the first side of the main cover portion. Each tube has a proximal end adjacent the main cover portion and a distal end relative to the proximal end, with a first aperture defined in the main cover portion at the proximal end of the tube and a second aperture defined at the distal end of the tube. The first aperture and the second aperture communicate through the tube to define each plant growth channel. Full Article
la Plant growth method and article By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is directed to device and method for promoting plant growth. The device is a plant spacing member that has a body and a first end and a second end. The first end and second end have openings for receiving at least one plant limb therein to create a space between the limbs of the plant. An increased flow of air and light then flow through the created space to the interior of the plant to stimulate the growth of the plant. In addition, the increase flow of air and light dries the plant to reduce the accumulation of mold and mildew. Full Article
la Plant air purification enclosure apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plant air purifying enclosure, or “PAPE,” contained within an unconditioned space, either within or outside a building, containing therein a plant air purifier, which is used to purify air using plants and microbes growing therein. The PAPE enclosure itself receives poor indoor quality air from within structure where the PAPE is located or from a structure close by along with thermal energy which keeps the plant air purifier enclosure at a suitable temperature for the plants and air cleaning microbes within the air purifier. Poor air enters the enclosure, is purified by the plants and microbes, and returns in purified form back to the habitable space from which it was taken. This lowers the amount of outside air needed for ventilation purposes and so lessens a building's overall energy consumption while providing efficiently for naturally purified air. Fundamentally, the object of this invention is to specify devices, systems and methods to house/enclose plant purifiers in such a way that they can readily be deployed on a wide scale. Full Article
la Plant container assembly and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plant container assembly, method, and kit include a plant container with a sidewall having first and second sidewall portions, an open top, and an open bottom. A hinge member is on the sidewall between the open top and the open bottom and pivotally connects the first and second sidewall portions for movement between an open position of the plant container, and a closed position of the plant container forming an interior space capable of containing plant growing medium. A closure portion extends along the sidewall between the open top and the open bottom. A plant support cooperatively engages the closure portion and selectively holds the plant container in the closed position. A planar member is configured to be selectively placed within the plant container and supported on a ledge member on each of the first and second sidewall portions to selectively form a bottom closure for the plant container. Full Article
la Adjustable water retention device for a plant pot By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An adjustable water retention device for a plant pot has a plant container nesting in a second outer pot, with a facilitated flow of water communicating between the second outer pot and the plant container, wherein the second outer pot rests on a base. Full Article
la Vertical method and apparatus for growing plants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method and apparatus for growing plants in vertical stacks by providing vertically stacked, interconnected pairs of plant platforms and light trays carrying growth promoting light sources. Each light tray is suspended below the underside of the next above plant platform. The stack is vertically raised in succession whereby the plant platforms are suspended and vertically spaced from each other. Thereafter, plants are placed between suspended platforms under the light trays which are regulating during periods of plant growth and non-growth. Full Article
la Modular living wall system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments include but are not limited to modular living wall systems. A module of a modular living wall system may include a frame including a plurality of rails, each rail coupled to another rail by their respective ends, and a fabric arrangement mounted onto the frame and including a first fabric and a second fabric overlaying the first fabric, wherein the first fabric is a hydrophilic mat, and wherein the second fabric includes at least one opening exposing the first fabric and configured to receive a plant. The living wall system includes integrated irrigation. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. Full Article