Abstract: A Vertical-Hive Green Box (or V-Hive Green Box) is a modular cultivation system utilized in a modular Vertical Farm or Plant Factory, as well as a warehouse-type or greenhouse-type of vertical farm or plant factory. The V-Hive Green Box includes growing boards, lighting boards, and an irrigation system arranged within a frame structure to maximize the quantity of crops that can be grown within an available volume of space in a modular Vertical Farm unit, warehouse or greenhouse per unit time. The V-Hive Green Box can also include aquaculture boards that can be used for aquaculture of aquatic fish and plants.

Abstract: A plant cultivating apparatus includes a body that defines a cultivation chamber, a cultivation bed disposed on the cultivation chamber and configured to move relative to the body, a nutrient storage configured to store nutrient solution, a pipe configured to supply the nutrient solution to the cultivation bed, a bed checker configured to detect movement of the cultivation bed, a level checker configured to detect a level of nutrient solution in the cultivation bed, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the bed checker and the level checker and to adjust the nutrient solution supplied to the cultivation bed. The cultivation bed includes a signal connector that is disposed on one surface of the cultivation bed corresponding to the bed checker and the level checker and that is selectively connected to the bed checker and the level checker according to whether to move the cultivation bed.

Abstract: A milking system for milking a dairy animal includes a milking cup for obtaining milk, a measuring chamber which is in flow communication with the milking cup for at least temporarily containing the obtained milk, and having a sensor device for measuring at least one property of the milk. The sensor device comprises at least three mutually separate electrodes for measuring values of a first milk property using an electrical and/or electromagnetic variable, and a sensor control unit for actuating the sensor device and for processing the measured values. The sensor control unit is configured to repeatedly select a pair of the electrodes in a targeted manner, the pair comprising a first electrode and a second electrode which differs from the first electrode. The sensor device is configured to measure the value of the variable between the electrodes, and to determine the value of the at least one milk property.

Abstract: An automatic and modular system for handling trays (32) used for containing plants or the like to be grown through hydroponic, or aeroponic, or aquaponic farming, comprises a first module (30) with a quadrangular plan and a vertical arrangement delimited by respective vertical supports (31), said first module (30) comprising two lateral zones, each of which includes a plurality of substantially horizontal and overlapping supporting seats or guides (37, 37?) for trays (32), and a central zone in which a vertical tray transfer device (33) operates, slidably along a vertical axis (Z) arranged on a movement means activated by motorization assemblies (34) able to translate said vertical transfer device (33) from a lowered position to a raised position for bringing itself to each tray (32) and vice versa, said vertical transfer device (33) being provided with a resting shelf (33?) for a tray (32) and with a first means adapted to translate along a first horizontal axis (Y) said tray from and towards a respective se

Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.

Abstract: An end effector of a robot arm that is configured to participate in an animal-related operation, where the end effector is comprised of an actuator and a housing that is provided with a first aperture at a first end portion, where the actuator participates in the animal related operation via the first aperture, and the housing is provided with a second aperture providing access to an interior of the housing, wherein a passage extends through the housing along at least part of the actuator, from the second aperture to the first aperture such that the housing may be flushed through for removing dirt.

Abstract: A hydroponic apparatus includes a cultivation tank and planting containers. The cultivation tank includes an inner space and a top planting groove. Each of the planting containers includes a container body and a container brim The planting containers can be arranged on the planting groove along a width direction of the planting groove, and the planting containers can be moved along a length direction of the planting groove. A hydroponic method includes: placing the planting containers at n positions arranged along the planting groove, wherein each position corresponds to a plant growth and development stage, and is consistent with an order of the plant growth and development stages; and harvesting the plant at the position n at a specified time point, and moving the planting containers at other positions one by one to the positions corresponding to the next plant growth and development stages.

Abstract: A milking system for milking a dairy animal includes a milking cup having a first milk outflow opening, a measuring chamber having a milk inlet which is in flow communication with the first milk outflow opening, with a second milk outflow opening to a milk hose, and with a vacuum connection, and a level sensor for measuring a milk level in the measuring chamber. The milking system further includes a controllable valve having an adjustable passage opening, which is provided in or downstream of the second milk outflow opening, and a control unit which is operatively connected to the level sensor and the valve, and which control unit is configured to adjust the passage opening of the valve on the basis of the measured milk level.

Abstract: A milking system for milking of a milk animal, including a milking cup for obtaining the milk, the milking cup having a teat space with a first milk outflow opening, and a measuring chamber directly and rigidly connected to the milking cup for at least temporarily containing the obtained milk. The measuring chamber is provided with a milk inflow opening which is in flow communication with the first milk outflow opening, a second milk outflow opening, a vacuum outlet, and a sensor device for measuring a property of the milk in the measuring chamber. The sensor device includes an optical sensor device having a plurality of optical sensor elements, at least one light source, and a control unit which is configured to process sensor signals into values of at least two parameters of the milk in the measuring chamber.

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: 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: 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: 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 for milking a dairy animal includes a milking cup to be attached to a teat of the dairy animal and milking the milk, and an electronic component. The electronic component includes a sensor which is arranged in or on the milking cup for measuring a value of a variable related to the milking, a transmitter for transmitting the measured values, and a power supply for supplying the sensor and/or the transmitter with electrical energy. The power supply may include an inductive power supply with a first coil component and a second coil component, where the first coil component and the electronic component are electrically connected to each other, and where the second coil component is electrically directly connectable to an external source of electrical energy. The milking system also includes a fastening means which holds the first coil component and the second coil component together.

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: 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.