Michael D Hartman

US Patent:

7412880, Aug 19, 2008

Filed:

Oct 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/549142

Inventors:

Roberto Barreiro - Johnston IA, US
Lori Carrigan - Spicer MN, US
Mohammadreza Ghaffarzadeh - El Macero CA, US
Daniel M. Goldman - Des Moines IA, US
Michael E. Hartman - Des Moines IA, US
David L. Johnson - Johnston IA, US
Loren Steenhoek - Grimes IA, US

Assignee:

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. - Johnston IA

International Classification:

A01G 13/08

US Classification:

7317007, 7317001, 7317015

Abstract:

A device and method for applying a wind force to a plurality of plants in an agricultural environment is provided to screen for selected wind-resistance traits in the plurality of plants. In one embodiment of the present invention, a device is provided including a generating device for creating a moving fluid stream to provide the wind force, a directing device, such as a duct and/or movable vane, for precisely and selectively directing the wind force towards a portion of at least one plant, and a controller for adjusting one or more parameters of the fluid stream. The device and/or method embodiments of the present invention may thus be used to selectively apply the wind force to one or more plants (or portions thereof) such that the plants may be evaluated with respect to one or more wind-resistant physical characteristics.

US Patent:

7938284, May 10, 2011

Filed:

Jul 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/774256

Inventors:

Daniel M. Goldman - Des Moines IA, US
Michael E. Hartman - Des Moines IA, US
James L. Hunter - Maxwell IA, US
David L. Johnson - Johnston IA, US
Griffiths J. Tucker - Davenport IA, US

Assignee:

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. - Johnston IA

International Classification:

B65D 51/04

US Classification:

220 422, 220 423, 220281, 220819

Abstract:

A package assembly for automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, wherein a pair of flexure channels are defined in opposing sides of at least one of the first or second portions, the flexure channels cooperating to define a flexure axis extending through the pair of flexure channels. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may allow at least one of first and second portions of the package assembly to flex about the flexure axis in response to a force exerted on the package assembly such that the first and second portions separate in response to the force.

US Patent:

20090010750, Jan 8, 2009

Filed:

Jul 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/774205

Inventors:

Daniel M. Goldman - Des Moines IA, US
Michael E. Hartman - Des Moines IA, US
James L. Hunter - Maxwell IA, US
David L. Johnson - Johnston IA, US
Griffiths J. Tucker - Davenport IA, US

International Classification:

B65G 65/00

US Classification:

414808, 414411

Abstract:

A method for handling package assemblies in an automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a method of handling a package assembly containing a particulate aliquot (such as a selected type of agricultural seed) that includes first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, the method including receiving the package assembly in a package assembly handling device, and applying a force to the package assembly using the package assembly handling device so that the first and second portions at least partially separate in response to the force.

US Patent:

20090283520, Nov 19, 2009

Filed:

Jun 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/476880

Inventors:

Daniel M. Goldman - Des Moines IA, US
Michael E. Hartman - Des Moines IA, US
James L. Hunter - Littleton CO, US
David L. Johnson - Johnston IA, US
Griffiths J. Tucker - Davenport IA, US

International Classification:

B65D 1/46
B65D 85/52

US Classification:

220 423, 206423

Abstract:

A package assembly for automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, wherein a flexure channel is defined in each of opposite sides of at least one of the first or second portions, the flexure channels cooperating to define a flexure axis extending through the pair of flexure channels. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may allow at least one of first and second portions of the package assembly to flex about the flexure axis in response to an opening force exerted on the package assembly such that the first and second portions separate in response to the opening force.

US Patent:

20100209221, Aug 19, 2010

Filed:

Apr 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/769426

Inventors:

Daniel M. Goldman - Des Moines IA, US
Michael E. Hartman - Des Moines IA, US
James L. Hunter - Maxwell IA, US
David L. Johnson - Johnston IA, US
Griffiths J. Tucker - Davenport IA, US

International Classification:

B65B 69/00

US Classification:

414411

Abstract:

A package assembly handling system for handling package assemblies in an automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a package assembly handling system for handling a package assembly comprising first and second portions that cooperate to contain a particulate aliquot, the system including a package assembly handling device configured for applying a force to the package assembly so that the first and second portions at least partially separate, thus releasing at least a portion of the particulate aliquot.

US Patent:

20110047042, Feb 24, 2011

Filed:

Aug 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/544731

Inventors:

ROGER BLICKHAN - DES MOINES IA, US
BRUCE E. CADWELL - JOHNSTON IA, US
JOSEPH L. GLAUBITZ - JOHNSTON IA, US
DAVID W. GOLDSBERRY - LINDEN IA, US
MICHAEL E, HARTMAN - DES MOINES IA, US
KENT HOEPPNER - DALLAS CENTER IA, US
JAMES L. HUNTER - LITTLETON CO, US
TIMOTHY P. MEYER - DES MOINES IA, US
ANDREW S. NICKERSON - GOTHENBURG NE, US
LYNDON J. SCHROEDER - URBANDALE IA, US
MARK SPICER - ANKENY IA, US
TIMOTHY J. WILHELM - DES MOINES IA, US

Assignee:

PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC. - JOHNSTON IA

International Classification:

G06Q 30/00
G06F 7/00
B07C 5/00

US Classification:

705 2625, 700216

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for automated high-throughput processing seed requests or orders includes an autonomous single seed counter and packager which operates by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a thresher, a spiral separator, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining segregation from subsequent seed being processed. Validation of the seed request matching the sample requested occurs prior to processing and information about the seed to process or having been processed can be derived and stored for further use.

US Patent:

D4287835, Aug 1, 2000

Filed:

Oct 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

D/111792

Inventors:

Cyrille J. Precetti - Des Moines IA
Michael E. Hartman - Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. - Johnston IA

International Classification:

0799

US Classification:

D 8 40

US Patent:

59792523, Nov 9, 1999

Filed:

May 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/074891

Inventors:

Cyrille J. Precetti - Des Moines IA
James W. Stevenson - Des Moines IA
Michael E. Hartman - Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

G01N 104

US Classification:

7386351

Abstract:

A static sample divider of the present invention is adapted to sample a flow of material such as seed. The sample divider includes a housing which encloses an upwardly facing cone disposed above one or more sample cups. The sample cups are coupled to a sample receiving tube. When a flow of material is directed toward the cone, the cone spreads the flow of material radially and outwardly where a portion is caught by the sample cups and dumped into the sample receiving tube. The remainder of the material is discharged through a discharge tube. The sample cups can be removed and replaced with different numbers or different sizes of sample cups to control the proportion of material sampled.