Abstract: A flap slat control lever and a method for operating the lever are disclosed. The lever includes: a first displacement sensor to detect a displacement of the flap slat control lever and generate a first displacement detection signal; a second displacement sensor to detect the displacement of the flap slat control lever and generate a second displacement detection signal; a first control command module to receive the first displacement detection signal; and a second control command module to receive the second displacement detection signal, wherein the first control command module is in a standby state and the second control command module is in a working state.

Abstract: An apparatus for cultivating plants may include a cabinet having a cultivation space; a machine compartment separated from the cultivation space and that accommodates a compressor and a condenser; at least one bed disposed in the cultivation space and on which at least one seed package including nutrient solution and seeds is seated; at least one light assembly that radiates light toward the at least one bed; and a water tank disposed in the cultivation space, positioned in front of the machine compartment, and that stores water to be supplied to the at least one bed. The water tank may be inserted into and withdrawn out of the cultivation space.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. There is a substantially rectangular frame having a plurality of corners with a light panel that is secured to the frame. Brackets a first opening are secured to each corner. Mounting members are secured to the brackets. The mounting members have: a first body; a second and third aligned openings formed in the first body; a fourth opening formed in the first body; and a plurality of second bodies, where each second body extends from the bottom face of the first body. Also, each second body includes a front and a rear, wherein the front of each second body is at least partially set back from the front face of the first body, and wherein the rear of each second body is substantially aligned with the rear face of the first body.

Abstract: A system for containers with insulated and expanded food production areas, the system including a container; one or more panels disposed around the container and configured to provide a boxed enclosure around the container; and soil culture media or water culture media disposed within the boxed enclosure providing an insulated and expanded food production area.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus, disposed in a detecting room having therein a target object, includes a fixing element, at least one target sensing unit, a rotating element, a driving module, and a control unit. The fixing element includes at least one lens disposed on a sidewall of the fixing element. The lens converges an infrared radiation in the detecting room onto the target sensing unit which then generates a position signal corresponding to the target object. The rotating element is disposed on one side of the fixing element. The rotating element includes a discharge channel. The driving module is connected to the rotating element. The control unit is coupled to the target sensing unit and the driving module to receive a position signal from the target sensing unit and control the driving module to drive the rotating element according to the position signal.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for hydroponics. An aspect includes a hydroponic system comprising a tray having a drain opening in a bottom of the tray. The hydroponic system comprises a water re-circulation system configured to re-circulate water containing plant nutrients through the hydroponic system. The water re-circulation system is configured to provide the water containing the plant nutrients to the tray. The tray is configured to convey the water along the bottom the tray to the drain opening, the drain opening configured to drain the water from the tray. The hydroponic system comprises different types of removable growing structures that are configured to provide corresponding different vertical distances between a top of a hydroponic growing medium and the bottom of the tray.

Abstract: Animal umbrellas adapted to protect animals, more specifically household pets, from precipitation and sun radiation. The animal umbrellas include a shade held at a distance from an animal's body by a plurality of ribs and stretchers, and is attached and extends from at least one collar or harness placed on the animal. A leash can be incorporated and releasably attached thereto.

Abstract: A tile has interlockable edges for forming a mat assembly customizable for different cat litter box arrangements. The tile includes a rectangular base; prongs; and respective peripheral walls protruding away from the base at its sides. The base also includes: primary male interlocking edge structure on first and third sides, each capable of respectively interlocking with primary female interlocking edge structure on the second and fourth sides, to inhibit relative movement therebetween in a first direction; secondary male interlocking edge structure on the first and third sides, each capable of respectively interlocking with secondary female interlocking edge structure on the second and fourth sides, to inhibit relative movement in a second direction; and tertiary female interlocking edge structure on the first and third sides, each capable of respectively interlocking with tertiary male interlocking edge structure on the second and fourth sides, to inhibit relative movement in a third direction.

Abstract: A milking stable configured to house one animal at a time for milking the animal, with a first long side wall, a second long side wall located opposite to the first long side wall, a first short end wall and an opposite second short end wall, an entrance door hingedly connected to the second long side, and an exit door hingedly connected to the second long side wall, wherein the second long side wall is displaceable in a direction towards and away from the first long side wall so as to change the size of the milking stable to accommodate animals of different size.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of soilless cultivation, in particular to a method for cultivating Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. The method involves the following steps: sowing; accelerating germination; growing seedlings; transplanting; separating seedlings; harvesting. In this method, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is cultivated using a nutrient solution and under continuous indoor lighting; as a result, the Mesembryanthemum crystallinum has a shortened life cycle, no flowering period, and a long harvesting period. Edible salt is added to the nutrient solution at a specific ratio, which further promotes the growth of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum and changes its taste. Meanwhile, the nutrient solution of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum has a high EC, which promotes the growth of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum.

Abstract: A sub-irrigation bed includes a bottom, a side wall surrounding the bottom, a water inlet, and a water outlet. A plurality of support structures is arranged on an upper surface of the bottom, and tops of at least a part of the plurality of support structures lie in the same horizontal plane. By reducing the contact area between the cultivation container and the surface of the sub-irrigation bed to reduce local water accumulation caused by surface tension, the sub-irrigation bed and the cultivation apparatus using the sub-irrigation bed provided by the present invention solve the problem of water accumulation caused by incomplete drainage and the resulting problems that roots grow out of the cultivation container and seedlings grow irregularly, thereby achieving a good root control effect.

Abstract: A milking system includes an automatic robotic milking device having a control unit, and is configured to milk a dairy animal fully automatically to form a milking. The system also includes a milk treatment device connected to the milking device for receiving and treating the milked milk of the milking. The milking device includes an animal identification device which is operatively connected to the control unit for identifying the dairy animal and comprises an animal database with information about at least the composition of the milk from the dairy animal, and/or a milk sensor device which is operatively connected to the control unit for collecting information about the composition of the milked milk. The milk treatment device is connected to the control unit and includes a standardization device which is configured to standardize a fat content and/or a protein content of the milk of the milking.

Abstract: Disclosed are an arced plate, a first fastener, and a second fastener. The arced plate can define a first arced aperture array and a second arced aperture array. When the arced plate, the first fastener, and the second fastener are used in combination, the fasteners can retain the arced plate as a truncated cone. Each fastener can include inserts configured to extend through, and thereby occupy minor apertures formed in the arced plate.

Abstract: A flexible plastic molded pod assembly, consisting of a pod collar and a locking pod ring is adapted to easily snap and lock in place against the edges of a circular hole cut through the wall surface of a Vertical Hydroponic System of either a flat or a cylindrical design. The pod assembly will shelter an organic plant matter from its seedling stage to its mature harvest form. The Pod Assembly is adapted to direct the flow of liquid Hydroponic Water with necessary nutrients to the plant in which it shelters. Included in the kit is a water flow diffuser adapted to distribute of Hydroponic water in all directions around the uppermost interior wall of a Vertical Hydroponic System thereby constantly supplying plant matter in each of the pod assemblies below with Hydroponic Water.

Abstract: A milking system for milking a dairy animal comprises teat cups, a robot arm with actuators, for connecting the teat cups to teats of the dairy animal, and a control device in order to reach and/or maintain a desired position of the robot arm, by adjustment of a respective adjusting force parameter exerted by the actuators. The control device is configured to adjust a selectable compliance of the robot arm, wherein the compliance is a reaction of the robot arm to an external force which is exerted on the robot arm, such as a kick. This compliance is a function of the external force or of an animal identity. Thus, the behaviour of the robot arm can be adapted, such as, under otherwise unchanged circumstances, more or earlier yielding in the case of sensitive animals, and, conversely, less in the case of playful animals.

Abstract: A multi-grip handle apparatus for an animal leash or harness includes a tubular handle body having a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening. An annular handle body surface extends between the first end and second end and a central bore extends between the first and second openings. A first cord extends from the first opening, and a second cord extends from the second opening. The first and second cord are secured by a clasp which secures a third cord. The third cord is configured to connect to at least one animal leash, animal collar or animal harness. The handle body surface includes a first grip section laterally adjacent and spaced apart from a second grip section. The central bore contains a filler that prevents the first and second cords from contacting the first and second openings, respectively.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a feeder (1) for spreading feed, the feeder (1) comprising a housing (10) having an upper feed compartment (11) and a lower feed compartment (12), and a partition wall (16) between the upper feed compartment (11) and the lower feed compartment (12), the partition wall (16) comprising an upper plate (21), a lower plate (22) and a disc (23) with through-going openings (21a-c, 22a-c, 23a-d), the feeder further comprising a spreader motor (50), a rotatable spreader plate (54), a spreader shaft (52) between and connected to the spreader motor (50) and to the rotatable spreader plate (54), the spreader shaft (52) extending at least partly through the lower feed compartment (12) and a lower agitator (60) being positioned inside the lower feed compartment (12) and being connected to and extending from the spreader shaft (52) such that when the spreader shaft (52) is rotated the lower agitator (60) will sweep around the second axis (A2) inside the lower feed compartment (12).

Abstract: A manual reel retractable leash apparatus for manually retracting a leash to control a dog includes a retractable leash spool coupled within a leash body. A leash is windingly coupled around the leash spool and extends through a leash aperture of the leash body. A crank housing is coupled to the leash body and a drive mechanism is coupled within crank housing. The drive mechanism is in operational communication with the leash spool and an outer face of the crank housing. A crank handle is coupled to the outer face to provide a place for a user to rotate the crank housing to power the drive mechanism and retract the leash.

Abstract: Described herein are example portable indoor hydroponic garden assemblies and associated methods of use. The portable indoor hydroponic garden assemblies can include features that facilitate hydroponic gardening in an indoor environment, including structural features that enhance the indoor environment itself, such as through sounds, smells, textures, sights, and so on. In an example, the portable indoor hydroponic garden system includes a tiered growing assembly housed fully within an enclosure. The tiered growing assembly can include a group of trays defining tiers that are recessed from one another, allowing water or other fluid to flow from tray to tray, creating waterfall features there between that can aerate the water and emit a pleasurable sound to the indoor environment. The enclosure can be climate controlled and thus adaptable to a variety of indoor conditions to grow desired plants, including embodiments using programmable heating and lighting systems.

Abstract: A milking apparatus is described that includes a longitudinally extending liner made from a resiliently deformable material. The liner is mounted on a rigid support shell. The liner comprises an outer hood configured to lie over an outer surface of the rigid support shell, and an inner barrel configured to be disposed within the rigid support shell and to define an internal volume. The inner barrel extends in the longitudinal direction away from an opening at a first end of the liner, through which opening an animal teat is insertable into the internal volume. The inner barrel is connected to the outer hood at a plurality of longitudinally extending connection regions on an inner surface of the outer hood. These connections define boundary conditions that limit the deformation of the barrel that encloses the teat can be set by the configuration of the liner itself.