Abstract: A control unit is configured to obtain measurements of milk flow during a milking session of the animal (101) and analyse a sequence of the obtained measurements. Based on the analysis, the control unit estimates a total milk yield of the animal (101) and determines a predetermined partial amount of milk of the estimated total milk yield. During early lactation, the control unit interrupts the milking of the animal on all teats when the predetermined partial amount of milk of the estimated total milk yield has been drawn from the animal, or detects that the milk flow has reached a plateau phase and interrupts the milking during the plateau phase (220).

Abstract: An apparatus (200) for controlling an animal or animal positions by applying one or more form of stimulus is disclosed. The apparatus (200) comprises at least one position sensing device (240) that is configured to detect at least one position of at least part of the animal as at least one position value. At least one controller (210) is operatively connected to at least one position sensing device (140). The controller (210) is programmed to read and compare the at least one position value with at least one predetermined value relating to the at least one position for determining if at least one control action is required. The control action relates to transmitting of at least one control signal to the stimulus device (250) to administer at least one form of stimulus to the animal that is able to be sensed by the animal.

Abstract: An apparatus (300) for applying at least one stimulus to an animal for controlling the animal or animal positions is disclosed. The apparatus (300) is configured to be worn by the animal and comprising a housing (305 carrying at least one stimulus device (350a, 350b, 350c, 350a?, 350b?, 350c?) that is configured to apply at least one stimulus to the animal at two or more levels of intensity. The stimulus is applied on a basis of a control signal received from at least one controller (310) that is in electronic communication with the at least one stimulus device (350a, 350b, 350c, 350a?, 350b?, 350c?).

Abstract: A urinal for pets, intended for dogs, which can be installed in public roads and in private roads. The purpose of the disclosure is to create an area where animals can urinate in hygienic conditions that prevent the deterioration and poor image of the urban environment, the urinal being retractable and self-cleaning. The urinal can be installed flush with the ground or below the ground and is based on a pair of concentric tubes, one of which is moveable with respect to the other, being at rest in the retracted position, that is, when not in use, while, when in use, one of the tubes for receiving the animal urine is visible. When returned to the rest position, the tube for receiving the animal urine is cleaned by means of a cleaning fluid. In addition, the urinal can be integrated into the surroundings, since it can incorporate a decorative element.

Abstract: The present pet waste station system is made up of a plurality of units having a sod section which fits into a tray. The method of preparing the system includes growing the sod section apart from the tray for a period. The sod section has live grass, a root system and a soil medium. Once the root system is established in the soil medium, the sod section is placed into the tray, which has a bottom, a series of walls and a ledge with a plurality of interlocking nodes. Two units can connect by engaging interlocking nodes from one unit to interlocking nodes of another unit. Once connected, the overlapping ledges form a seal that prevents liquid from escaping between two units when the pet waste station system is in use.

Abstract: A pet waste device is an octagonal padded ring having a plurality of hooks on the outside of the ring each of which removably retain a pet waste bag. The padded ring may be removably secured to the back of a pet such as a dog.

Abstract: An irrigation system for a vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. An irrigation line having apertures at the select positions provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers, while a gutter structure captures excess solution. In a closed loop system, the excess solution returns to a recirculation tank. The present disclosure provides a dual pump system for effectively and efficiently removing excess nutrient solution from the gutter structure.

Abstract: The milking apparatus includes a cluster (4) connected to a retraction line (10), and a cylinder (11) having a piston (13) being movable between first and second end positions. The piston acts on the retraction line to move the cluster to a retracted rest position when moved to the second end position, and to permit the cluster to be moved to an active milking position when the piston is in the first end position. A switch device (30) may alternate between a first state and a second state. The retraction line permits the switch device to change from the first state to the second state when a movement of the cluster from the retracted rest position is initiated. The switch device initiates in the second state supply of a pressurized medium to the cylinder to force the piston to the first end position.

Abstract: Disclosed are high-density soil-less hydroponic cultivation systems, apparatus used therein, and methods of operation thereof. A high-density soil-less cultivation system can comprise one or more grow columns, each comprising a column lumen, and one or more angled housings coupled to the grow columns. The system can further comprise a nutrient reservoir configured to contain a nutrient solution to be delivered to the grow columns, a capture conduit coupled to the grow columns configured to capture or recapture nutrient solution flowing through the grow columns, and a capture reservoir configured to collect the captured or recaptured nutrient solution from the capture conduit for delivery to the nutrient reservoir to be reused. The system can also comprise an omnidirectional light tower configured to shine light on the one or more angled housings to induce growth of any plant matter within the angled housings.

Abstract: A method and control unit for controlling a moveable crowd gate of a holding area at an entrance of a milking parlour at a farm where the control unit obtains information from at least one sensor regarding animals present in the holding area, determines a stress level among the animals in the holding area, based on the obtained information, and controls movement of the crowd gate, via an actuator configured to adjust position of the moveable crowd gate, based on the determined stress level.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for a food delivery and feeding. An apparatus may comprise: a housing, the housing comprising a housing outlet; and a storage compartment contained within the housing the storage compartment configured to store a plurality of food items for feeding one or more pets. The storage compartment may comprise a storage compartment outlet and two rotatable wheels. The apparatus may also comprise an ejection device contained within the housing. The ejection device may be configured to eject one or more of the plurality of food items. Rotation of the two rotatable wheels causes the one or more of the plurality of food items to move from the storage compartment through the storage compartment outlet to the ejection device.

Abstract: A system for managing objects is provided. The system comprises a data collection gateway and a plurality of apparatus. Each of the plurality of apparatus obtains parameters relating to objects in a farm from a server through the data collection gateway. The parameters include a reference threshold weight of the objects. Each of the plurality of apparatus collects weights of the objects through sensors. Also, each of the plurality of apparatus adjusts the reference threshold weight based on the obtained parameters to generate an adjusted threshold weight. Further, each of the plurality of apparatus sorts the objects to different areas in the farm based on the adjusted threshold weight and the collected weights.

Abstract: An animal litter box includes: a tray housing including a urine passage portion and an insertion opening; and a tray including an absorbent-body placement surface. The urine passage portion has holes through which urine pass downward. The insertion opening is formed in a front surface of the tray housing. On the absorbent-body placement surface, an absorbent body for absorbing urine that has passed through the holes is placed. The tray is housed in the tray housing from the insertion opening in such a way that the tray is capable of being pulled out forward. The tray is capable of being housed in the tray housing with an orientation of the tray in the front-back direction reversed. The tray includes an identification portion in a part of the tray other than the absorbent-body placement surface, and the identification portion is for identifying one side and another side in the front-back direction.

Abstract: A reversible harness for an animal having a neck region and a waist region. The harness includes a chest piece, and a back piece having a back-side tethering strap. A leash connector is rotatably disposed on the tethering strap. The reversible harness further includes a first adjustable strap to secure the chest piece to the back piece about the neck region of the animal, and a second adjustable strap to secure the chest piece to the back piece about the waist region of the animal. The harness is adapted to fit a wide variety of sizes of animals. Additionally, owing to at least one top fabric portion and at the least one bottom fabric portion of the back piece, and a first chest-side fabric portion and a second chest-side fabric portion of the chest piece, the harness is reversible.

Abstract: An expander harness for walking pets on a leash, comprising a back part (3) equipped with a lining (2). A limiting element (10) is threaded through the leash connector (16) on the back part (3), which is fixed to the lining (2) by a limiting element fixing point (12) crossing the intersection of the axis line (9) and a separating axis line (9a). The leash connector (16) on one side of the separating axis line (9a), and the at least one shoulder part connecting element (18) on the other side of the separating axis line (9a), are elastically displaced in the direction opposite to each other, moving away from each other to the extent of the stretching of the elastic element (11) threaded through the leash connector (16), extending between the leash connector (16) and the limiting element fixing point (12), and that of the shoulder part elastic element (21) threaded through the shoulder part connecting element (18).

Abstract: The present invention provides a smart plant cultivation device and a smart plant cultivation system which, by using an Internet of things (IoT) technology, can automatically configure a cultivation environment according to a variety of plants, automatically perform zoning control of a light source module, and monitor and record a cultivation process of a plant through a user device.

Abstract: A simpler and more humane animal restraint and training device, and a method of using the device, having magnetic members and locking teeth that prevents animal choking, retains contact between the two clasp portions to prevent collar loosening, and does not require the use of fine motor skills by the animal owner. Training signals can also be generated to teach proper gait for the animal as well as other training commands.

Abstract: [Problem to be solved] To provide a pet toilet sheet cover member that is provided so as to cover a pet toilet sheet laid on a floor surface and can be easily positioned with respect to the pet toilet sheet and can be easily moved, and to provide a pet toilet having the pet toilet sheet cover member. [Solution] A cover member 1 of a pet toilet sheet 3 according to the present invention includes: a frame member 7 that is provided on the rectangular pet toilet sheet 3 laid on a floor surface so as to over an outer peripheral edge part of the pet toilet sheet 3; and sheet fixing members 9 that are provided on the frame member 7 and fix the pet toilet sheet 3 to the frame member 7. The frame member 7 is formed to have an octagonal outer peripheral shape by obliquely cutting off corner parts of a rectangular shape.

Abstract: A dog waste collecting system that is fully compostable or biodegradable, and fully sustainable. The system is made of a cardboard box, a biodegradable liner, an optional cardboard cell divider, an absorbent coconut layer and a retaining coconut fiber mat that keeps the absorbent layer in place. The absorbent coconut layer absorbs the dog waste fluids while the coconut fiber mat holds the dog waste solids for removal by the owner. Perforations in the box define a lid that is removed prior to use to expose the mat. The system, after a few weeks of use, can be directly discarded in whole, in the compost.

Abstract: A device for growing plants above a selected surface includes a bottom member disposed upon a selected surface; a top member disposed upon and secured to said bottom member via two longitudinal securing seams, whereby, said top member includes two outer longitudinal flap portions and a longitudinal center portion, which ultimately receives a growing material in which plants and/or seeds are disposed. The longitudinal flap portions are ultimately folded above the growing material whereby longitudinal edge portions of the flap portions are separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage the growing material. Pipe members are removably secured to longitudinal edge portions of each longitudinal side of the bottom member, thereby enabling the manual lifting and transport of the device for disposal upon a selected surface.