Abstract: A plant-cultivating method is provided which comprises a red light irradiation step (A) and a blue light irradiation step (B), wherein the step (A) and the step (B) are independently carried out for a predetermined period of time under cultivation conditions such that the humidity in a cultivation atmosphere at the step (A) is higher than that at the step (B). Preferably the humidities in a cultivation atmosphere at the step (A) and the step (B) are in the ranges of 60%-90% and 40%-60%, respectively.

Abstract: A self-contained, low-maintenance planter assembly used indoors or outdoors to provide prolonged self-watering of plants in a tray preferably supported by an easily height-adjustable frame insert positioned within the lower reservoir portion of a fluid-containing planter housing. Interior tray-lifting members are located adjacent to the tray's top edge, and the tray's bottom surface has perforations. Plant roots may be in growth/support medium distributed directly into the tray, or in drainable pots. Fluid-permeable material under the growth/support medium allows surplus rainwater to refill the planter housing via the tray's perforations in outdoor applications, while an overfill prevention hole in the planter housing prevents nutrient/liquid therein from entering the tray, with wicking member or members instead distributing nutrient/liquid upwardly to tray-supported plant roots. No tools or power/water connections are needed for assembly function.

Abstract: A vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus for allowing vertical hydroponic greenhouse crop production is provided. The apparatus comprises a hollow grow tube having a front face, a back face, an open first end, and an open second end. A slot is formed in the front face of the grow tube with the slot having a width equal to only a portion of a width of the front face. A media material is insertable into the grow tube. The slot allows the front face to expand outward during insertion of the media material and biased inward against the media material once the media material is inserted. The grow tube is positionable in either a horizontal position, vertical position, or any position between the horizontal position and the vertical position allowing inclined, multi-angled crop production and multi-storied conveyor style crop production.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an animal enclosure including a plurality of members defining an interior of the enclosure. One of the plurality of members includes a first member having a frame structure and door assembly formed by a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires. At least two of the horizontal wires of the frame structure form a hook positioned inside the defined opening. The door assembly is coupled to the frame and moves between an open and close positions. The door assembly includes a first door and a second door removably coupled to one another. The enclosure also includes a latch assembly for releasing the door assembly from the frame structure. In the close position, at least one horizontal wire of the first door and at least one horizontal wire of the second door are coupled to the hooks formed by the at least two horizontal wires of the frame structure.

Abstract: A portable animal watering, feeding, and waste bag storage and dispensing apparatus. The apparatus includes a body with a first chamber for storing the liquid that is used by the animal to drink, a second chamber that stores the refuse bags, and a cover for the second chamber that further serves to dispense the bags from the second chamber. A first receptacle is coupled to the body and provides a watering dish to serve the liquid from the first chamber to the animal. In some embodiments, a shaft directly connects the first receptacle to the first chamber and an adjustable plug provides a user with means to control the transfer of the liquid from the first chamber to the first receptacle. A second receptacle is coupled to the body and is used to store and dispense food to the animal.

Abstract: Farmers utilize a rack to provide limited access to a bale to feeding livestock. A rack for feeding a bale to animals is provided including at least one rotating weight-activated rail containing the bale within the rack. The rotating weight-activated rail includes at least one arm projecting downward under the bale. A weight of the bale acting upon the arm projecting downward under the bale causes the rotating weight-activated rail to rotate against the bale and contain the bale while the livestock is feeding.

Abstract: A hollow chew piece carrier adapted for receiving various sizes of hollow chew pieces, dog bones and the like. The carrier includes a shaft having opposite ends attached to a pair of end pieces. The shaft has a length greater than the length of the chew piece for providing a chewing space. The chewing space allows the dog to engage an end of the chew piece. The diameter of the shaft is less than an interior diameter of the hollow chew piece to allow the chew piece to slide back and forth. This difference in diameters forms a treat space. The diameter of the first and second end pieces is greater than an exterior diameter or width of the chew piece. This difference in the diameter of the end pieces and the exterior diameter of the chew piece provides for a non-contact zone to prevent the exterior of the chew piece from engaging and scratching a surface.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of bee keeping; in particular the invention relates to a composition and a method for improving winter survival of individual bees and/or bee colonies and/or for preventing colony collapse. Research at Science in Water has led to the discovery that administering iron(II) to bees under certain conditions can reduce instances of winter mortality and CCD.

Abstract: A fishing line wobble device for causing a fishing hook attached to a fishing line to wobble as said fishing hook is pulled through water. The fishing line deflector having a deflector for deflecting water, and an elongated line guide. The deflector having a plurality of voids disposed about the rim of the deflector.

Abstract: A stirrup for saddles. The stirrup includes a pair of side members that extend upwardly from opposing sides of a tread. The tread is provided with a forwardly and downwardly slanted orientation. The orientation of the tread places a rider's foot in a heels-up position in which the rider's heel is above the toes. The heels-up position may be beneficial to professional and experienced riders participating in rodeo events like team roping, barrel racing, or other events in which the rider benefits from being in a forward position over or in front of the saddle. A cross-member extends between upper ends of the side members in a non-parallel orientation relative to the tread. The orientation of the cross-member causes the bottom end of the stirrup to list toward the animal to provide a rider with a more natural position when standing in the stirrups.

Abstract: A pet diaper is equipped with a front surface layer, a back surface layer, and an absorbent layer disposed between the front surface layer and the back surface layer. The pet diaper has a back portion, an abdominal portion, and a crotch portion disposed between the back portion and the abdominal portion. The pet diaper is further equipped with: a first cut portion that is provided on the back portion and that is formed as a convex curve rounding towards the end portion of the back portion; a second cut portion that is provided closer to the crotch portion than the first cut portion and that is formed as a convex curve rounding towards the end portion of the back portion; and a first perforated portion that is formed so as to extend from the second cut portion towards the first cut portion.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and methods to improve seeding success. In an exemplary embodiment the compositions and methods disclosed herein are used to improve seeding success in rangeland areas. However, the compositions and methods are useful to improve seeding success in any environment where seeding is difficult. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a “seed pillow”, a multifunctional seed treatment that mitigates the limiting factors controlling seedling establishment. In one embodiment, the seed pillow comprises a pillow-shaped agglomeration of absorbent earth materials and other additives, with seeds attached within a concave well on the underneath side of the pillow. To increase the probability that the seeds will be covered by the pillow, soil and tackifier are placed with the seeds for increased weight on the seed side of the pillow, and to glue the pillow to the soil. The shape of the pillow is also designed to improve coverage by having a flat bottom and convex top.

Abstract: A plant-cultivating method is provided which comprises a red light irradiation step (A) and a blue light irradiation step (B), wherein the step (A) and the step (B) are independently carried out for a predetermined period of time under cultivation conditions such that amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as fertilizer ingredients as used at the step (B) are smaller than amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as fertilizer ingredients, respectively, as used at the step (A). Preferably, fertilizer ingredients are applied in amounts such that a growth medium at the step (B) contains 10-15 me/L of nitrogen, 1-4 me/L of phosphorus and 2-6 me/L of potassium, and a growth medium at the step (A) contains 15-20 me/L of nitrogen, 3-6 me/L of phosphorus and 6-9 me/L of potassium.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing having a first surface having a first contour and arranged to contain a quantity of water. The apparatus further includes a base structure positioned adjacent the housing and including a second surface having a second contour that closely matches the first contour. The housing is positioned such that the first surface and the second surface are disposed immediately adjacent one another. The apparatus further includes a lighting element supported by the base and positioned to selectively illuminate the housing. The apparatus further includes a storage compartment having an open cavity for receiving and holding an object and a third surface having a third contour that closely matches the first contour, the storage compartment supported by the base structure such that the first surface and the third surface are disposed immediately adjacent one another.

Abstract: A saddle pad for use with a western saddle includes a felt cover containing two air cushions inserted into cavities on each side of a central line of the pad, each cushion partly filling at least the front half of the cavity and partly is provided with barrier walls extending forwardly from the rear wall of the cushion, and a single pump connected to the two cushions to supply the same pressure to provide better comfort for the rider and to the horse during riding.

Abstract: A bee feeder system includes a bee house having a plurality of levels. One of the levels includes a bee feeder having a frame with a top major surface and a bottom major surface. The frame surrounds a central opening and a feeder pipe extends across the central opening. The feeder pipe has a distal section that includes feeder holes. A divider covers the central opening. The feeder pipe has a proximal section that extends outside the frame. A feed container is attached to the proximal section of the feeder pipe. The feeder pipe is rotatable relative to the frame for moving between an ON position in which the feeder holes face toward the bottom major face of the frame and an OFF position in which the feeder holes face toward the top major face of the frame.

Abstract: A nest box (1) for bumblebees that provides sufficient ventilation inside the nest box (1). The provided nest box (1) with a bumblebees hive (2) inside resolves the problems of insufficient ventilation, by being mounted with a ventilation panel (14), comprising ventilation holes (13) in size(s) that enable ventilation but at the same time bumblebees from passing through.

Abstract: A system and a method to treat lice and nits on a head of a patient. The system includes a cap for defining an airtight space around the head and a container for storing a mixture of gases for treating lice, a gas release mechanism for delivering the mixture of gases into the airtight space as an aerosol, and a gas distribution device having plurality of gas delivery pins. The mixture of gases causes irreversible damage to essential mechanisms of the lice. According to another embodiment of the present invention the system includes a cap for defining an airtight space around the head and an active agent container. The active agent of the type of acetic acid, stored in a liquid state, and vaporized during use, then circulated toward the cap.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to systems and apparatus for incorporating live plants on support surfaces, such as walls, wall segments, and wall modules inside of a building. Such systems and apparatus can provide pleasing aesthetic and an improved environment for occupant of a space within the building. The modular living wall system also can reduce or eliminate the need for manual watering of the live plants.

Abstract: A deshedding tool (10) for removing hair from a pet includes a handle (13) which carries a blade holder (14). A blade assembly (20) is carried by the blade holder (14). The blade assembly (20) includes a plurality of sawtooth blade segments (21) and a plurality of blade guards (22). The blade segments (21) and the blade guards (22) alternate with each other, and the blade guards extend outwardly from the blade holder (14) and downwardly from the blade holder (14) farther than the blade segments (21).