Abstract: An automatic pet feeder includes a food hopper and a feeding tray; the hopper has a bottom larger than a top and includes a cylindrical rotating shaft located in the center, and a tapered outer wall. A grid is fixed between an outer side surface of the rotating shaft and the food leaking outer wall, and the grid is radial with the axis of the rotating shaft as the center of a circle, to partition a space between the outer side surface of the rotating shaft and the food leaking outer wall into feeding spaces with the same size.

Abstract: A structure for attracting fish in lakes and ponds is presented that includes a central mast with one or more angled shafts for the fish to rest upon and congregate near.

Abstract: A plant-cultivating method is provided which comprises a step (A) of irradiating a plant with a red light and a step (B) of irradiating a plant with a blue light, and a step (C) of irradiating a plant with a light predominantly comprised of far-red light wherein the step (A), the step (B) and the step (C) are independently and separately carried out for a predetermined period of time. The light irradiated at each of the steps (A), (B) and (C) has at least 60%, based on the total emission intensity of the light, of an emission intensity ratio of red light, blue light or far-red light.

Abstract: An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A device is configured so as to constrain the movements of a dog. The device has a tubular material which can be extended so that the device can function as a leash or which can be compressed so that the device can be secured around the neck of the dog. A cord may be located within the tubular material when it is extended, and removed from the tubular material and secured when the tubular material is compressed.

Abstract: A growth chamber carousel is provided which may be used to grow plants in a chamber. The chamber includes an artificial light source, a plurality of plant supports, a supporting structure configured to rotate the plant supports between two positions, the first position being closer to the artificial light source than the second, and a divider separating the chamber into a light region containing the artificial light source and one of the plant supports in the first position and a dark region containing the other plant support in the second position. The divider is moveable between a first divider position in which the divider prevents movement of the plant supports and a second divider position in which the divider does not prevent movement of the plant supports.

Abstract: Disclosed are harness assemblies for use in tethering a pet, such as a dog, to a leash. The harness assemblies distribute the forces associated with restraining the animal over the animal's entire body. The harness assemblies also provide a wide range of adjustability and are easy to position upon or take off the animal. Various buckle constructions are also disclosed for use in easily securing the harness onto an animal. The various components of the present invention, and the manner in which they interrelate, are described in greater detail hereinafter.

Abstract: A milking method and system for preventing detachment of a teat cup from a teat of an animal during a milking process where the milking system includes a milk line connected to the teat cup, a vacuum system that applies at least two different vacuum levels to the teat cup, a measuring device configured to measure the air flow in the milk line during the milking process, and a control unit (5) that receives information about measured air flow values and to determine if the teat cup is about to be detached from the teat by comparing the measured air flow values (qa) with an acceptable value (qa, ?qal/?t), and when the measured air flow values are not acceptable, to control the vacuum system to apply a higher vacuum level to the teat cup than the present vacuum level.

Abstract: An absorbent article for pets includes a top sheet, a back surface layer, an absorbent core, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a pair of side portions. Such absorbent articles for pets are stacked and packaged while each absorbent article is folded and the portion of the back surface layer which is near the first end portion forms a first outer surface. The absorbent article for pets also includes: a hook member provided on the portion of the back surface layer which is near the first end portion; an engaging section provided on the portion of the top sheet which is near the second end portion and engageable with the hook member; and a weak engagement section provided at a position at which the weak engagement section is in contact with the hook member of an adjacent absorbent article of the stacked absorbent articles for pets.

Abstract: An aviary is provided including an aviary cage having a first side, a second side, and a nesting area. The nesting area is positioned between the first side and the second side. A belt extends beneath the nesting area. A grate having a first end and a second end is positioned over the belt. The first end of the grate extends to the first side of the aviary cage, and the second end of the grate extends to the second side of the aviary cage. A first egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the first end of the grate. A second egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the second end of the grate.

Abstract: A system and method of sustainable aquaponics that vertically integrates unique aquaponic system designs with alternative aquaculture fish feed sources, fingerling production methods, alternative aquaculture/farmed fish grow out models, and green energy sources that yield organic produce in the form of fruits and vegetables. A raceway system serves as the hub for grow-out throughout the warm and cold months. During the summer months, fish can be spawned and fed for steady growth, while during the winter months, the fish continue to grow at slower quite acceptable growth rates. Plants like legal (licensed) cannabis for medical use can be grown in plant areas near the raceways with very high yields.

Abstract: A milking liner includes an integrated short air tube and short milk tube. In one configuration, the pulsation air is delivered through the bead of the milking liner directly inside the shell through a plurality of outlets. The disclosure also provides alignment features that assist the person assembling a milking liner and shell. The features limit rotation between the liner and the shell. The liner includes a short air tube that extends beyond a short milk tube with each having a sealing bead. The sealing beads are offset from each other.

Abstract: A feeder is provided for animals selected from domestic pets, cage birds, chickens, fish and wild birds. The feeder has a hopper to hold a supply of dry feed. A chamber receives feed by gravity from a lower portion of the hopper, and has a discharge outlet at one axial end of the chamber. A passage is defined from and includes the chamber and extends to an opening at the distal end of the discharge outlet for discharge of feed from the feeder. An auger is mounted for rotation about an axis within the chamber. The auger is adapted as it rotates to move feed along the passage to be discharged at the distal end of the discharge outlet. A shutter is adapted to occlude the passage and is provided within the discharge outlet. The shutter is coupled to and rotates with the auger.

Abstract: A seed label including a label layer removably attached to a clear film layer by an adhesive layer, and at least one seed disposed between the label layer and clear film layer. The label layer may be made of a biodegradable material. The adhesive layer may be a dry release-clean release adhesive layer. The label layer may include water-based ink printing thereon. The adhesive layer may be a water-based adhesive. The seed label may be removably affixed to a package. The seed label may be disposable in a container for germinating the seeds. A method of manufacturing a seed label, includes providing a label layer, automatically placing at least one seed on one side of the label layer, and automatically attaching the label layer to a clear film layer by an adhesive layer, with the seed disposed between the label layer and clear film layer.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a milking cup, a pulsating device coupled to the milking cup, a robotic arm comprising a gripper, and a controller communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the pulsating device. The controller is operable to instruct the gripper of the robotic arm to grip the milking cup, instruct the robotic arm to move the milking cup proximate to a teat of a dairy livestock, and instruct the robotic arm to move the milking cup towards the teat. The controller is further operable to instruct the pulsating device to apply pressure to the milking cup before attaching the milking cup to the teat and instruct the gripper of the robotic arm to release the milking cup.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a flow of milk at an inlet of a manifold. The inlet comprises a first end coupled to a hose that receives a flow of milk from a teat cup and a second end terminating in a chamber of the manifold. The manifold comprises one or more other inlets and a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets includes one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. The method proceeds by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding milk collector outlet by causing a shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to open, and by causing a drain valve corresponding to the inlet to close. The method concludes by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding drain outlet by causing the drain valve corresponding to the inlet to open.

Abstract: A pet carrier apparatus includes a main enclosure assembly, an extension assembly receivably connected to the main enclosure assembly, the extension assembly is movable relative to the main enclosure assembly to form a variable volume inner space, and a litter tray removably coupled to the extension assembly and extending within the inner space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floor material for pet animal urination, which has an effect to allow urine to pass through by suppressing speed and amount of urine absorption, as well as an effect of low water absorbency allowing to gradually absorb residual urine sweating the grain surface, which also has good shape retentivity so as not to be collapsed even if urine is absorbed, and thus which is highly suitable as a floor material for pet animal urination. There is provided a floor material for pet animal urination, wherein a surface of each of water-absorbing grains (1?) is coated by a slow water-semipermeable coating (6); and because of the slow water-semipermeable coating (6), urine is prompted to pass between the water-absorbing grains, and residual urine (8) sweating the surface of the water-semipermeable coating (6) is gradually absorbed into the water-absorbing grains (1?) through the water-semipermeable coating (6).

Abstract: The present invention directed to nesting material for birds, and more particularly, to a receptacle containing nesting material for birds. In a preferred embodiment the receptacle comprises a plurality of windings forming a generally spherical structure. The structure is provided with tuffs of fleece type nesting material inserted inside the ball and between the windings, and extending outwardly there from.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a hydroponic system having a self-contained reservoir. The system comprises, a plurality of plastic pipes, a plurality of plant receivers, a plurality of angled joints, a plurality of T-fitting/connectors, a plurality of pipe caps, a customizable water pipe, an adjustable pipe brace, and an electrical pump. A method is provided for delivering the nutrient solutions to the plants through a hydroponic system. The method comprises, assembling the hydroponic system, selecting a plurality of plants to be grown in the hydroponic solution, delivering nutrient solution to the roots of the selected plant from the reservoir, and customizing the hydroponic system.