Abstract: A gardening appliance includes a liner positioned within a cabinet and defining a grow chamber, and a grow tower is positioned within the grow chamber and includes a module support frame including a plurality of vertical support members a plurality of mounting slots. A grow module defines a support body defining a plurality of apertures for receiving one or more plant pods, the grow module further including a plurality of mounting tabs configured for receipt within the plurality of mounting slots to removably mount the grow module to the module support frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical technology that kills parasitic pests, harmful bacteria and weed seeds in the soil by using high-temperature steam while moving forward by using a caterpillar with a self-powered device in order to smoothly perform the eco-friendly high-temperature steam soil disinfection in all types of soils, such as clays and sandy soils, having suitable moisture content; a mechanical technology in which the steam boiler is operated with power of an A/C generator to produce steam the steam is supplied to the re-heater installed on an upper portion of a nozzle through a high-pressure steam hose to increase the steam temperature to reheat the steam with high-temperature dry steam, thereby increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of high-temperature steam soil disinfection.

Abstract: A hanger for use in fishing, which is mounted on a rod body of a fishing rod and hangs a fish hook or a fishing line, is provided. The hanger includes a mounting shaft portion, a hanging portion, and a protection portion. The mounting shaft portion is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the rod body. The hanging portion is supported by the mounting shaft portion and hangs the fish hook or the fishing line. The protection portion is rotatably coupled to the mounting shaft portion and covers the hanging portion. The protection portion is rotatable to an open position where the protection portion exposes the hanging portion and a closed position where the protection portion covers the hanging portion such that the hanging portion and the protection portion pinch the fish hook or the fishing line.

Abstract: A bed assembly for pets includes a case and a fluid-filled bladder. The case defines an interior volume and has a top portion and a bottom portion opposite the top portion. The top portion includes a bed and a bolster extending from the bed around an outer periphery of the bed, and the bottom portion includes a shoulder strap and a securing mechanism configured to secure the bed in a stowed position. The fluid-filled bladder is disposed in the interior volume and is configured to be inflatable between an uninflated position and an inflated position. The fluid-filled bladder includes a bed bladder adjacent the bed of the case and a bolster bladder adjacent the bolster of the case.

Abstract: A transportable combination pet carrier and pet bed that can be dually used for travel or in the home. The case includes a pet bed that is located within the case, allowing for the pet to recline on the pet bed. The case may also include: 1) a sufficient amount of breathable and porous material, such that the pet does not suffocate when contained in the case, including when the case is fully closed and secured for transport; and 2) soft internal siding.

Abstract: A hunting method utilizes a scent blocker to block the scent mark of a mating male animal, such as a hooved animal including a buck, to cause the male animal to investigate the scent mark area to remark their scent mark. Often times a buck will rub their antlers on a tree with their antlers to produce a tree rub and then leave a scent mark in a scrape under the tree. They will then wait in an area downwind and if they detect a female scent or if their own scent mark is not detected, they may will revisit the location for investigation. A scent blocker may be applied to or over the scent mark and may be an absorptive scent blocker, a chemically reactive scent blocker, a masking scent blocker, a blocking scent blocker that is substantially non-permeable, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A curtain enclosure formed from a flexible, non-permeable membrane is positioned adjacent to a section of riprap or similarly configured structure that has been installed along a shoreline. The curtain is stretched around rigid elongate posts and extends outward into the water from the edge of the riprap to create an enclosed containment area formed between the interior of the curtain and the edge of the riprap. The bottom of the curtain is weighted to sit along the bed of the water body and resist movement in that position. Once the curtain enclosure has been formed, larval bivalve organisms, such as oyster larvae, are poured into the curtain enclosure, and thereafter the curtain enclosure is maintained in that position for a period sufficient to promote attachment and growth of the larvae on the riprap.

Abstract: Provided herein is an efficient rodent trap device, where the rodent, such as a mouse or a rat, is killed, when the rodent is moving through the rodent trap. The rodent trap includes at least one rodent passage, a trigger mechanism and a killing mechanism. The rodent passage includes a first outer opening and a second outer opening arranged at opposite ends of the rodent passage. The openings provide entries from ambient surroundings. In use, the rodent is led into the trap through the one or the other opening. The trigger mechanism includes one sensor and another sensor, the one sensor arranged between the killing mechanism and the first outer opening and the other sensor is arranged between the killing mechanism and the second outer opening. The killing mechanism includes at least one killing element, which in use enters said rodent passage between the sensors and when actuated by the killing mechanism.

Abstract: A trap for large animals. The system utilizes multi-containment areas for improved efficiency in herd animal trapping. The outer containment zone of the system is designed in such a way to promote animals further into the inner containment zone. The improved efficiency lowers overall cost of trap operation in terms of time, consumable bait replenishment and number of attempts on target animal groups. The system allows for independent and remote actuation of containment zone gates. Data is transmitted to a remote user and remote actuation of attracting or deterring audio can be done during trapping process. The architecture of the trap dissuades animals capable of jumping from doing so over the containment walls.

Abstract: A pet enclosure includes a bottom section, a middle section, and a top section. The middle section is connectable to the bottom section with an opening in the middle section. The opening in the middle section has a bottom portion that connects with a top portion of an opening in the bottom section. The top section is connectable to the middle section with an opening in the top section. The opening in the top section has a bottom portion that connects with a top portion of an opening in the bottom section. The bottom section, middle section and top section when connected together form an enclosed pet enclosure with an animal opening therein.

Abstract: An animal head gate includes head gate doors each having a squeeze bar to trap the neck mounted between upper and lower rails. Adjustment of the spacing between the bars uses an eccentric crank operated by lever which cooperates with two manual latches on a rail at maximum and minimum spacing. A neck sweep bar is mounted on one gate and movable from a retracted position to a position forward of the squeeze bar across the head gate so as to engage the neck of the animal in front of the squeeze bar and to turn the neck and head. The head gate is held closed by front and rear abutment members each of which is formed as a roller which rotates to reduce friction under load. Each gate includes an upstanding torsion bar which twists when forces are applied to the squeeze bars from impact with the animal.

Abstract: A descending device including a member providing a fish attachment point, a member providing a means of traversing the suspension point, a moveable member to attach the suspension line and traverse to the alternate suspension point, a member that applies a moment about a suspension point to reverse the orientation of the device and stops that prevent the attachment member from coming off the descending device.

Abstract: Certain types of fish respond differently to certain stimuli than other types of fish. Particularly, predetermined sound or vibration can cause certain types of fish to move away or jump. These reactions by particular types of fish can be used to capture the fish or prevent them from accessing parts of water systems. An exemplary capture mechanism employs multiple receptacles adapted to catch jumping fish from the air. An exemplary barrier of directed sound can prevent fish migration.

Abstract: An installation for rearing animals includes an injector; a water inlet line and a gas inlet line arriving in the injector; a source of oxygen or a gas mixture including oxygen, capable of delivering oxygen into the gas line; and a water recirculation loop including: a water tank, at atmospheric pressure, to supply the injector with fresh water; a coil capable of receiving water charged with dissolved oxygen from the injector through a pump, wherein the coil creates a water/oxygen contact time; and an overflow valve, to have the water resulting from the coil passed in order to be able to direct the water entirely to the animals' watering or partially to the animals' watering and partially back to the water tank. A method for rearing animals includes boosting water with dissolved oxygen up to saturation for animals' watering.

Abstract: A cover assembly for covering a container of pollen substitute comprises a lid member for engaging the container of pollen substitute. The lid member has an opening for bees to access the container contents and a removable cap element covers the lid member opening to divert water from entering the lid member opening while leaving a gap for bees to enter between the cap element and the lid member. A combination nectar feeder and pollen feeder is also provided. The cover assembly may be configured with ornamental shapes to approximate the design of a flower.

Abstract: A beehive providing improved humidity and moisture control within the hive box through incorporation of a condensation chamber, improved temperature stability through enhanced airflow, enhanced colony health through improved control of temperature and humidity, and reduction of physical damage to bees during routine maintenance and harvesting tasks through novel construction geometry.

Abstract: The combination of infrared light, ultraviolet light and near ultraviolet or blue light has been found to repel insects, and particularly flying insects. Electric lights powered by batteries, solar cells or line voltage are arranged in mutual proximity on virtually any desired substrate to repel insects and prevent insects from closely approaching and landing around the substrate. In one example, the substrate can take the form of an article of clothing, such as a hat.

Abstract: An apparatus for solarization of a volume of soil includes a support structure in the form of a frame having a first opening extending therethrough. The apparatus comprises a lid positionable over the frame, a plurality of walls extending under and away from the frame, and an assembly that redirects solar energy attached over the support structure. The lid and walls form a second opening. During operation the support structure is placed on a section of ground and adjusted for solar energy to be directed toward and through the lid. When placed on the ground, the frame, the lid, the walls and the adjoining ground form an enclosed volume that prevents thermal energy from escaping the enclosed volume while directing the solar energy into the volume via the second opening to heat underlying soil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rain and sun shield device for pet crates/cages that prevents rainwater from accumulating inside the crates. More specifically, the rain and sun shield device includes multiple lip structures designed to be mounted on the top surface of the crate, such that the lip structures deflect any rainwater pouring over the crate and prevent any rainwater from entering inside the crate. The rain and sun shield device can be retrofitted to existing animal crate/cage designs or incorporated into the manufacturing of new models to provide protection against rainwater and sunlight. The device protects pets from the elements while being kept in a crate or cage placed in outdoor settings or while being transported in the bed of a pickup truck. The device ensures that pets remain safe, shaded, and dry.

Abstract: An animal repelling device includes a container, an end cap provided with through holes, a liquid level sensor and a wireless communication component. An animal repelling method includes: injecting volatile liquid for repelling animals in the container, and closing the end cap, in which the volatile liquid is vaporized to the outside; and detecting the liquid level through a liquid level sensor, and transmitting liquid level information to a wireless communication component, and controlling the vaporization of the volatile liquid via the wireless communication component. the vaporization of drugs for repelling animals can be intelligently controlled; and the remaining amount of the drugs for repelling animals can be automatically monitored to replenish the drugs in time.