David C Slaughter

US Patent:

6770453, Aug 3, 2004

Filed:

Mar 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/519533

Inventors:

Steven J. Potts - Davis CA
David C. Slaughter - Davis CA
James F. Thompson - Sacramento CA
Jennifer J. Payne - Davis CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

C12Q 134

US Classification:

435 18, 435 34

Abstract:

Methods for the detection of chitinous contaminants of non-chitinous biological materials are described. The methods are accurate, highly reproducible, rapid and relatively inexpensive. The methods are well suited to commercial applications, particular in the food and agriculture industry where biological materials (e. g. , food products) are regularly screened for contaminants (e. g. , insect, mold, fungus, etc. ). In some cases, the methods involve contacting a biological sample with a probe that is a lectin that binds chitin, contacting the sample with a pectinase; and detecting binding of said lectin to a chitin where the binding indicates the presence of chitin in the biological sample.

US Patent:

6833250, Dec 21, 2004

Filed:

Jan 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/759815

Inventors:

Steven J. Potts - Davis CA
David C. Slaughter - Davis CA
James F. Thompson - Sacramento CA
Jennifer J. Payne - Davis CA
Barb Ariel Cohen - Watertown MA

Assignee:

Vicam, L.P. - Watertown MA

International Classification:

C12Q 104

US Classification:

435 34, 435 18

Abstract:

This invention provides novel methods for the detection of chitinous contaminants of non-chitinous biological materials. The methods are accurate, highly reproducible, rapid and relatively inexpensive. The methods are well suited to commercial applications, particularly in the food and agriculture industry where biological materials (e. g. food products) are regularly screened for contaminants (e. g. insect, mold, fungus, etc. ). In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a biological sample with a probe that is a lectin that binds chitin, contacting the sample with a pectinase; and detecting binding of said lectin to a chitin where the binding indicates the presence of chitin in the biological sample.

US Patent:

7324904, Jan 29, 2008

Filed:

Dec 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/314852

Inventors:

Stanley L. Floyd - Enumclaw WA, US
Chih-Lin Huang - Bellevue WA, US
Mark A. Stanish - Seattle WA, US
Susan Kaluzny - Seattle WA, US
David C. Slaughter - Davis CA, US
Tom J. Taylor - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Weyerhauser Company - Federal Way WA

International Classification:

G01B 3/00

US Classification:

702 81, 702155, 702183, 702189, 702159, 73 73, 73597, 73866

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for detecting the potential of a wood sample, such as a board, to stay on grade, i. e. , resist warp, after it is put into service and/or its moisture has re-equilibrated with the surrounding environment. The systems and methods include various sensor technologies and subjection of obtained data to various models, algorithms, and/or other mathematical formulas.

US Patent:

7671336, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Sep 14, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/531823

Inventors:

Bernard Jahn - Davis CA, US
Shrini Upadhyaya - Davis CA, US
David Slaughter - Davis CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01V 7/00

US Classification:

25033911

Abstract:

A single absorbance value was found in the mid infrared (mid-IR) region that correlated directly to soil nitrate content while not being influenced by other components in the soil, such as carbonate and organic matter. Using one or two absorbance values, at which interference from other ions is a minimum, to predict a component's concentration as opposed to the conventional method of using a continuous spectrum allows for an in-situ real-time soil nitrate content sensor.

US Patent:

20040031716, Feb 19, 2004

Filed:

Aug 14, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/222011

Inventors:

David Slaughter - Davis CA, US
James Thompson - Sacramento CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California

International Classification:

B65B005/00
B65D081/02

US Classification:

206/521100, 053/473000, 206/521700, 206/511000

Abstract:

This invention provides a novel packaging system comprising a packaging frame and one or more suspension membrane suspended from the frame, which membrane comprises a flexible membrane material that forms a pocket area shaped to accept an item. The shape of the pocket area allows the area to be self-sizing to accommodate irregularly shaped objects and a variety of sizes in the same package. The flexible pocket area also minimizes pressure points on the packaged item and keeps the item from contacting other items or potentially damaging surfaces.

US Patent:

54425522, Aug 15, 1995

Filed:

Mar 16, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/032075

Inventors:

David C. Slaughter - Davis CA
Robert G. Curley - Davis CA
Pictiaw Chen - El Macero CA
Durham K. Giles - Davis CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G06F 1520

US Classification:

36442407

Abstract:

A robotic cultivator is provided for automatically positioning cultivation tools relative to a centerline of a plant row. The cultivator comprises a video camera for gathering visual information about plants in a plant row. A frame grabber is then utilized to generate a digitized image of the visual information. A computer then manipulates the visual information to determine a centerline of the plant row. Finally, a positioning device moves the cultivation tools based upon the current position of the tools with respect to the centerline.

US Patent:

55448135, Aug 13, 1996

Filed:

Mar 22, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/410013

Inventors:

Durham K. Giles - Davis CA
David C. Slaughter - Davis CA

Assignee:

Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

B05B 1508

US Classification:

239 71

Abstract:

A cartridge for use in a spray system, and for releasable connection to a quick-release coupling to form a nozzle assembly. The cartridge includes a generally elongated and hollow body member having a proximal end and a distal end. A nozzle tip is retained at the distal end of the cartridge, and the proximal end is adapted to fit, at least in part, within the quick-release coupling. The body member includes a shoulder for retaining the nozzle tip. In a basic embodiment, the cartridge includes a generally hollow tubular spacer which fits, at least partially, inside the body member, for pressing the nozzle tip against a shoulder formed by the body member at the distal end. An O-ring is disposed between the shoulder and the spacer, in order to seal the cartridge and to prevent leakage. A screw fits within the proximal end of the body member for retaining the spacer in tight engagement with the nozzle tip. In other embodiments, the cartridge includes a plurality of components, such as a sequence of filters and a check valve.

US Patent:

20180199613, Jul 19, 2018

Filed:

Jan 10, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/867589

Inventors:

- Oakland CA, US
David Slaughter - Davis CA, US
Dennis Sadowski - Davis CA, US
Long He - Richland WA, US

Assignee:

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A23N 15/02
B26D 5/00
B26D 3/26
B26D 7/06

Abstract:

An automated apparatus for removing the tops (calyx) of strawberries as they move along a conveyor belt having a plurality of concave-shaped slotted rollers which operate to orient the calyx of each strawberry for being cut. Images are captured and processed for locating the calyx of each strawberry and determining an optimal cutting plane. In response to the image processing a control system actuates a blade in a cutting apparatus to pass through the produce item and into one of the slots in a roller, or rollers, to separate the calyx from the body of the strawberry.