Abstract: A water circulation pump pre-filter unit (PFU). The PFU is submerged and provides structure to camouflage the system to give a natural and aesthetic look. The PFU comprises at least two cleaning systems: (1) biological cleaning mechanism; and (2) an internal self-cleaning mechanism. Specifically, the PFU comprises several filtering surfaces that form a repository for pond debris on which fish and other aquatic creatures feed, i.e., the biological cleaning mechanism. These filtering surfaces of the PFU also provide a protective barrier that prevents large debris from entering the circulation pump. The internal self-cleaning mechanism is a spray wash water source mechanism used to clean the PFU without removing the PFU or fish from the pond or entering the water. Together these features improve the quality of the water in the pond and extend the life of a pump.

Abstract: It is provided a plant infiltration device for infiltrating plants with an inoculum and method of using same, the device comprising a frame having one or more tray racks adapted for receiving at least one tray of plants to be infiltrated; an automated manipulation mechanism mounted to the frame and operable to displace the plant trays within the device; a plurality of inoculum reservoirs mounted to the frame and containing one or more inoculum fluids; an infiltration tank mounted to the frame and within which the plant trays are received when disposed in the infiltration position; and a vacuum generating device in communication with the infiltration tank to apply a negative pressure within the infiltration tank, thereby opening pores of the plant leaves immersed in the inoculum within the infiltration tank and causing the inoculum fluid to infiltrate into the plant leaves.

Abstract: An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlour, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal.

Abstract: The facility has a pair of side bars (1,1) acting as inclined supports for an upper sheet (2) with openings (8) for inserting the plants, a closed lower sheet (4) acting as a collector, and at least one intermediate sheet (3) with openings determining a cascade trajectory for the water with the nutrients. The multi-layer upper sheet (2) preferably includes four layers (2a, 2b, 2e and 2d), which together define narrow channels (7) such that at insertion, the root of each plant is placed in a channel (7) different from that used by the adjacent plants. The openings (8) for the insertion of the plants form two marginal and longitudinal lines, so than the roots of adjacent plants can be completely isolated during the first growth phase thereof, preventing interference therebetween and allowing plants with different growth rates and even different types of plants to be arranged on the facility, generating, in turn, continuous production and an improved yield from the facility.

Abstract: An implement for grooming hair of an animal has a comb support and an array of tines mounted in the comb support. The array has a plurality of generally parallel combs, and each comb has a set of regularly spaced generally parallel tines of similar size. In one aspect, the spacing between adjacent tines of a selected comb varies depending on the location of the comb along a longitudinal axis. In this aspect, as the comb support is drawn to effectuate the grooming of the hair of the animal, hair at the selected location experiences a progression in at least three stages from coarse to more finely spaced tines.

Abstract: A portable travel mug and water bowl combination which is used to retain water and dispense water for a dog to consume and thereafter enable the unconsumed water to be returned to the travel mug. The water bottle contains an upper section, a lower section and an interior recessed section which enables the bottle to be compressed to squeeze water out of the bottle through a straw into the dog bowl and at the same time provide a sufficient stiffness so that the shape of the bottle will not deform. The water bottle is designed to be fit into and retained in a standard car beverage container holder. The device is also designed to be aesthetically pleasing so that it can even be used in luxury vehicles.

Abstract: A pet treat holding device may comprise a head and a plurality of opposable arms. The plurality of opposable arms may be articulably attached to the head and movable between a first position and a second position. The arms may define a cavity configured to receive an end of an elongated treat such as a bully stick. The device may comprise a twist ring that threadedly engages the opposable arms and operates to secure the arms of the device around the inserted end of the elongated treat.

Abstract: A collapsible kennel having a top panel, a bottom panel, two side panels, a front panel having an opening, and a rear panel. The top panel, bottom panel, two side panels, front panel, and rear panel are connected to one another to form a substantially rectangular enclosure having a door in the opening for ingress and egress. The front and rear panels each include a peripheral edging containing a looped frame. The side panels each include a peripheral edging containing opposed side frames, the side frames each having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being attached to respective looped frames. A method of collapsing the kennel is also disclosed.

Abstract: The motorized animal-grooming brush is adapted for use with animals. The motorized animal-grooming brush is a rotating brush that is driven by an electric drive that is separated in distance from the rotating brush. The motorized animal-grooming brush comprises a brush device, an electric drive, and a drive line. The electric drive provides a motive force through the drive line to the brush device. The brush device receives the motive force from the electric drive and uses this motive force to rotate the grooming brush. The separation by distance between the electric drive and the rotating brush reduces the level of noise heard by the animal.

Abstract: A pet watering apparatus which can be refilled as water is removed by evaporation or by a thirsty animal, which apparatus has a vessel, overlaid by a platform having a base and at least one leg, which platform has at least 2 apertures therein of one size and a central smaller aperture therein. Disposed in one aperture is a bottle capable of holding water, having a modified Yorker cap thereon, disposed in an inverted position; the Yorker cap's spout having been cut off at about a 45 degree angle. A siphon filter may be disposed through the platform's central aperture to the vessel for connection to a pump to re-circulate water through the siphon for microbe removal. An optional water chiller may be deployed on the platform.

Abstract: A waste disposal device includes a waste container having a first compartment and a second compartment and a leash connected to the waste container at each of a first location of the waste container and a second location of the waste container, such that a portion of the leash between the first location and the second location define a first handle. The waste container may include an opening in a surface of the waste container that exposes a portion of the second compartment. The first compartment may further include a liner. The leash may further have a second handle at a location apart from the first handle.

Abstract: A plant support comprises two or more vertically elongated closed looped members which are rotationally spaced around a common vertical axis and connected to each other at the upper end and the lower end of the plant support. The plant support comprises an above-ground section and a relatively shorter in-ground section which is inserted into a planting hole or plant pot before soil is added and a plant is placed inside the plant support. The vertically elongated closed looped members are made of a rigid band material, such as e.g. stainless steel band having a width which is significantly wider than the band is thick.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for attracting different types of wild birds, as chosen by a user. In one implementation, a top section is configured to engage a cap, and a bottom section positioned opposite the top section includes at least one feeding station. A supporting member extends vertically from the bottom section to the top section. The supporting member, the top section, and the bottom section forma frame. A reversible insert has an elongated body extending between a first edge and a second edge. The first edge has a plurality of ports, and the second edge one or more slots. The frame is adapted to receive the reversible insert in an orientation based on a size of the bird seed.

Abstract: Fourth toe processing apparatus and methods for the processing the fourth toes of a bird are disclosed.

Abstract: A ball, sphere or article holding system includes a first hollow semi-hemisphere or shell formed of a resilient material and having therein a plurality of apertures, the semi-hemisphere or shell including a first hinge element and, diametrically opposed, a first selectable closure element. The system also includes a second hollow semi-hemisphere or shell formed of a resilient material and also having a plurality of apertures, the second semi-hemisphere or shell including a second hinge element which is complementally proportioned, disposed and engagable relative to the first hinge element. Diametrically opposed therefrom is a second closure element which is complementally and press or snap-fittably engagable by the opposing closure element of the first semi-hemisphere or shell. Closure between the responsive closure elements may be enhanced by the use of a ring slip-fittably passing between complementally disposed apertures within and between the closure elements.

Abstract: A method of hydroponic growing of plants comprising hydroponically growing the plants in the presence of a controlled release hydroponic fertilizer composition. The hydroponic fertilizer composition comprises a polymerically coated controlled release fertilization nutrient formulation which further comprises micronutrients and optionally chelated iron.

Abstract: A poultry cage comprises a resting surface in a horizontal plane having a plurality of openings, a manure collecting surface arranged underneath the resting surface, and a drying air channel comprising a first side wall having a set of first openings for directing drying air towards the manure collecting surface and a set of second openings for directing drying air towards the manure collecting surface. Each first opening directs the drying air at a first angle against a vertical direction towards the manure collecting surface and each second opening directs the drying air at a second angle against a vertical direction towards the manure collecting surface, wherein the first angle being different than the second angle.

Abstract: Apparatus system and method of maintaining differential atmospheric control with respect to CO2 and O2 gases in a first, stem/leaf zone, Z-1, of a plant from a second, root zone, Z-2, of the plant. The atmosphere in a stem/leaf zone is controlled to be high in CO2 while the root zone Z-2 is isolated and provided with ambient or higher O2, at a pressure to prevent infiltration of CO2 from zone Z-1. The differential atmosphere in each zone can be selectively monitored and adjusted to provide improved growing conditions. The inventive plant environment control system and method is particularly useful in the field of hydroponic and aeroponic growing enclosures, wherein nutrients are periodically provided to the roots, and a high CO2 atmosphere, plus heat and light of appropriate growth-enhancing wavelengths, are provided to the leaves for forced, high-yield growth of selected plants indoors, regardless of the season.

Abstract: A grow plant enclosure to maximize plant density for a given growing area has a perimeter frame, a first pane, and a second pane. The first pane is adjacently connected to the perimeter frame, while the second pane is removably attached to the perimeter frame opposite the first pane to form a hollow enclosure. A plurality of plug holder openings traverses through the first pane, and optionally the second pane, being designed to receive a plurality of plant holders for growing various plant types. A plurality of supply tubes traverse into the perimeter frame through a plurality of supply tube openings and each have a plurality of spray nozzles to deliver nutrient solution to the root zone of the plants retained in the plurality of plant holders. Excess nutrient solution is released through a drain fixture positioned about the bottom of the perimeter frame.

Abstract: Fourth toe processing apparatus and methods for the processing the fourth toes of a bird are disclosed. The fourth toe processing apparatus includes a shield, a non-contact energy source emitting energy towards the shield, a shank restraint structure receiving a shank of a bird located proximate the second side of the shield, and a fourth toe aperture extending through the first side and the second side of the shield. Energy emitted towards the shield by the energy source passes through the fourth toe aperture so that a fourth toe of a bird having its shank positioned in the fourth toe aperture is exposed to the energy.