Abstract: The method of stimulating a plant substance is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating a pressure pulse or an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit pressure pulse or acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the plant substance to the pressure pulse or acoustic shock waves stimulating said plant substance wherein the substance is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves. In one embodiment the emitted pressure pulse or shock waves are divergent or near planar. In another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the source, the method further comprising positioning the substance at a distance less than the distance X from the source. The substance is a plant tissue having cells. The tissue can be a seed, zygotic embryo or somatic embryogenic culture of somatic embryos of plants. The plant may be a vegetable, tree, shrub or tuber.

Abstract: A drinking bowl for a pet and adapted for use in a moving vehicle has a base section which defines a liquid reservoir having a cylindrical side wall and a removable in-turned rim at the upper end thereof. An inner section has sufficient buoyancy to float on liquid in the reservoir, the inner section being a close sliding fit within the side wall and having a dished upper surface with a central liquid-receiving area. A plurality of liquid feed holes extend through the inner section to permit liquid to flow into the central area from which a pet may drink.

Abstract: A system for lining a container or the like containing an absorbent, utilizing the liner to contain and direct a treatment fluid into the absorbent to disinfect and renew. A complimentary system to the present invention teaches a deodorization, disinfectant, treatment bin for treating litter infused with animal waste, which treatment bin includes a treatment area utilizing ozone to contain and treat the contaminated litter, rendering same re-useable. The system of the present invention further contemplates an ozone generator having a timer circuit for providing a flow of ozone to the apparatus of the present invention, the ozone generator further contemplating as exemplary features a timer apparatus for providing optimal treatment, as well as a proximity sensor system for sensing the presence of an animal in the litter area, for controlling the ozone generator.

Abstract: An animal toy features the ability to connect two or more separate toys of varying shape, size, color, and/or texture, together to create larger and more complex toy systems. The animal toy allows an almost endless variety of toy systems to capture the interest as well as challenge and develop the animal's problem solving skills. The animal toys are either solid or include internal chambers for holding and ultimately dispensing food. When two or more toys with the internal chambers are combined the food may flow from the chamber of one toy into another toy several times before exiting the toy system. The increased problem of extracting the food challenges and develops the animal's skills. Moreover, by combining solid and food dispensing toys in random combinations further increases the problem solving skills required to completely extract the food from the toy system.

Abstract: A milking liner for an automated milking machine includes a barrel that moves between an uncollapsed position and a collapsed condition when it is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. The barrel defines at least three parallel channels open to the inner surface of the barrel. The configuration of the sidewall of the barrel and the channels cause the barrel to uniformly collapse when the barrel is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. In one configuration, ribs protrude from the barrel sidewall and define channels with the same wall thickness as the sidewall segments disposed between the ribs.

Abstract: The use of dewatered small particle tailings material derived from the industrial washing of coal, metal ores, rocks and extracted minerals as a component of casing material for the cultivation of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus and other Agaricus spp.) is described.

Abstract: A rotary nail filing apparatus for animals is described that includes a shroud or housing, an opening in the shroud that is suitable sized and shaped to allow an end portion of an animal's nail to be put through the opening, and a suitably shaped and oriented rotary grinder that is contained within the shroud grinding at least a portion of an animal's nail when put through the opening, where at least a portion of the nail particles that are grinded away by the rotary grinder are contained in a portion of the shroud. In some embodiments, the rotary grinder position/orientation and/or its surface are adjustable and/or replaceable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for growing plants wherein rotating arrays of seeds or seedlings carried by arcuate ribs arranged around a common horizontal axis face a growth promoting light source; plant growth is promoted and weight distribution within each array is maintained when watering the rotating arrays. Several intermeshing arrays can make up a carousel wherein the arrays rotate together during plant growth, cropping and replanting.

Abstract: A birdcage feeder assembly is configured with a feeding unit, which includes a cup and a transparent shield shaped and dimensioned to minimize the distribution of food debris from the cup, and a holder operative to removably couple the feeding unit to the birdcage.

Abstract: A bird feeder has telescopically aligned inner and outer cylindrical housings with opposed surfaces of complementary shape that are reverse tapered in a substantially vertical direction to enable guided vertical movement of the housings with respect to each other. The housings have openings in their side walls which are substantially in alignment when the outer housing is in an upper position and misaligned when the outer housing is in a lower position. A compression spring centrally located about the vertical axis of the feeder is confined within a lower portion of the feeder and biases the outer housing to its upper position. When the outer housing is moved to its lower position by the weight of a squirrel overcoming the biasing force of the compression spring, the housing openings are substantially misaligned such that no significant through opening exists, thereby preventing access to the birdseed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for growing plants wherein a spherical array of seeds or seedlings radially face the center of the sphere and a growth promoting light source is generally at the center of the sphere; plant growth is promoted and approximately equal weight distribution among growing plants is maintained by rotating the sphere on its horizontal axis around the light source, simultaneously delivering water optionally containing plant nutrients to all the seeds or seedlings and regulating the light source during periods of plant growth and non-growth.

Abstract: An apparatus has a base having a side that defines an interior space, and a periphery that defines an aperture above the interior space. A bowl element has a rim and is shaped to fit into the interior space such that the rim abuts the periphery. A lever mechanism has a lever, a fulcrum having an aperture, a pair of ears on opposite sides of the aperture, pins extending from each of the pair of ears into the lever for pivotally mounting the lever on the fulcrum, and an attachment element for attaching the fulcrum to the base. The lever has a proximal end adapted to abut the bowl element, and a distal end opposite the proximal end.

Abstract: An animal feeder apparatus includes a food storage hopper which includes a top hopper portion and a bottom hopper portion. A food retainer assembly is attached to the bottom hopper portion, and the food retainer assembly includes a top retainer portion, a bottom retainer portion, and top-to-bottom connection means connected between the top retainer portion and the bottom retainer portion. The top retainer portion includes a top food passage channel, and the bottom retainer portion includes a bottom food passage channel. A timer-controlled food distribution assembly is attached to the bottom retainer portion in registration with the bottom food passage channel, and a stand is provided for supporting the food storage hopper, the food retainer assembly, and the timer-controlled food distribution assembly. The animal feeder apparatus of the invention can be used to attract wildlife at predetermined times that can coincide when a hunter or wildlife photographer is near.

Abstract: A manually operated dog treat dispensing machine capable of dispensing dog treats one at a time, the dispenser having a rectangular housing with a hinged housing door and hinged capital that serves as a food supply reservoir which is gravity fed into a spring loaded spindle chamber mounted on an axel and hand crank. Treats exit the dispenser through a chute output consisting of a hinged chute lid, two side walls and a base block and a retaining plate mounted in the end of the chute lid and adjacent to the spindle chamber acts as a stop preventing dispensing of more than one dog treat at a time. The dispenser also can function using a magazine that is inserted inside the rectangular housing area. Magazine stop tabs at the base of the magazine along with the retaining plate mounted on the chute lid prevent the dispenser from dispensing more than one dog treat at a time.

Abstract: An irrigation device for delivering water to the roots of a plant include an elongated mass of capillary material bound together by an impermeable sheath with a pair of cone shaped ends. A sponge like filter covers an upper one of the cone shaped ends and a second porous filter covers the opposite end. A plurality of impermeable tapered rings are provided for blocking off one or more portions of the capillary material to prevent water from flowing through those portions.

Abstract: An animal waste collection and disposal system having a portable carrying housing with a plurality of separately sealable compartments, an integral ergonomic handle and integral apparatus to mount a leash. The collection and disposal system includes an animal waste collection tongs device having an integral protective shield, and also includes a waste disposal device having a biodegradable bag and a catalyst pouch integral to the bag.

Abstract: A plant protector includes a flexible cover having an apex, a base, plural sides and plural vertices defining intersections between adjacent sides, together with plural elongated frame members each respectively attached to the cover at one of the vertices. The frame members each have a first end proximate to the cover apex and a second end proximate to the cover base. The frame member first ends are mutually interconnected for pivoting at or below the cover apex. The pivotal interconnection may be provided by hinge connector hardware, but is more preferably provided by the cover itself functioning as a living hinge. The frame members are pivotable from an open position wherein the frame members are angled relative to each other to a collapsed position wherein the frame members are substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: A method of preventing defective germination or growth of a plant is provided, by which even plant seeds having small size can be sown easily and securely. The method of preventing defective germination or growth of a plant includes the steps of: encapsulating plant seeds in an aqueous gel capsule; refrigerating the plant seeds under the condition that the plant seeds do not germinate; and sowing the plant seeds.

Abstract: The present invention provides unique technology, systems and methods of cultivating different types of seaweeds, including, but not limited to, Porphyra (Nori), Laminaria, Undaria, Eucheuma, Gracillaria, Ulva, Sargassum, Codium, Cladophora, Ascophyllum, Palmaria, Furcellaria, Fucus or Enteromorpha, in land-based seawater ponds having a climatically suitable and nutrient controlled environment. These land-based ponds may be built in any part of the world with structural engineering and architectural modifications. The land based units for cultivation of seaweeds comprise phycological laboratory facilities, U-shaped sleeves, to allow the maturation of the sporelings; growth tanks, U-shaped cultivation tanks, a plurality of small inoculation tanks aerated with air, and a harvesting unit.

Abstract: An animal feeder includes an open ended food container that is hinge mounted at a normal inclined position on a ground support. The container pivots upwardly about a fixed horizontal transverse axis when the animal tries to remove the container from the support. This unnatural, upwardly pivoting movement discourages further attempts to remove the feeder, and the animal, thus discouraged, continues to feed at the site.