Patents Issued the Week of January 5-9

1.12.26

Patent Protection & Registration

Patents grant property rights on new and useful inventions, allowing the patent holder to prevent others from using, making, or selling that invention without permission for a limited time. U.S. patents are permitted by the U.S. Constitution and are designed to promote scientific progress and invention. By allowing inventors to profit from licensing or selling their patent rights, inventors can recoup their research and development costs and benefit financially from their inventing efforts. There are three main types of patents utility, plant, and design. Utility and plant patents can last up to 20 years, while design patents can last up to 15 years. When a patent expires, the patented material enters the public domain, making it free to use by anyone without a license. U.S. patents are issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

U.S. Patent No. 12,516,480 entitled “Slipform Paver with Suspended Adjustable Width Mold” issued January 6, 2026 to Wirtgen GmbH of Windhagen, Germany. Invented by Harry Wenzelmann of Alpenrod, Germany and Christian Liß of Meckenheim, Germany. Abstract: An adjustable width mold apparatus for a slipform paver includes a center portion and left and right sideform assemblies. The left and right sideform assemblies are movably mounted on a machine frame. Left and right actuators can independently move the left and right sideform assemblies relative to the machine frame. A mold width of the mold is adjustable without adjusting a width of the machine frame. The mold can be laterally shifted in position relative to the machine frame.

U.S. Patent No. 12,516,506 entitled “Work Vehicle having Controlled Transitions Between Different Display Modes for a Moveable Area of Interest” issued January 6, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Rachel Bruflodt of Dubuque, Iowa, Giovanni A. Wuisan of Epworth, Iowa and Brett S. Graham also of Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: A work vehicle is configured for visually representing an area of interest such as the blade of a work implement. A first portion (e.g., frame) includes an operator cab and a second portion (e.g., boom assembly) is moveable relative to the first portion, wherein the area of interest is at least partially obscured from operator view during movement of the second portion. An imaging device is mounted on the second portion and has a field of view including the area of interest throughout the movement of the second portion. During a first operating mode, a display unit is caused to statically display an area around the area of interest while the area of interest moves along with movement of the second portion. During a second operating mode, the display unit is caused to statically display the area of interest while the background moves along with movement of the second portion.

U.S. Patent No. 12,515,245 entitled “Anaerobic Digestion of Aggregate Cellulose Pulp” issued January 6, 2026 to Bouldin Corporation of Morrison, Tennessee, Invented by David C. Palmer of Franklin, Tennessee, Rodrigo B. Vera of Leeds, Alabama and Terry L. Moore of Brentwood, Tennessee. Abstract: A process for transforming a stream of MSW material into feedstock for an anaerobic digester and the resulting generation of biogas and other useful products includes the removal of one or more selected chlorine containing components and the retaining of substantially all paper components. At least 70% by mass of the incoming stream of MSW material is hydrolyzed and subsequently directed to the anaerobic digester.

U.S. Patent No. 12,516,499 entitled “System and Method for Predictively Mitigating the Impacts of Travel Across Uneven Terrain by a Work Machine” issued January 6, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Amol Balasaheb Phadtare, Piyush Ainapure and Balkrishna R. Joshilkar all of Pune, India. Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predictively mitigating the impacts of travel across uneven terrain by a work machine having an implement for carrying load and capable of movement relative to the work machine frame. During a current operation, inputs are collected from perception sensors corresponding to terrain characteristics in at least a forward travel direction, from position sensors corresponding to a current position of the work implement relative to the work machine frame, and from load sensors corresponding to characteristics of a current load being carried by the work implement. Based on the various inputs, one or more impacts are predicted to result from travel across the terrain, and one or more work machine operating values are dynamically controlled during travel by the work machine across the terrain based at least on the predicted one or more impacts.