Abstract: An apparatus comprises a milking box having a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock and a robotic attacher. The robotic attacher comprises a main arm that is suspended vertically from a rail of the milking box, and a supplemental arm that is coupled to and extends horizontally from the main arm along a longitudinal axis. The supplemental arm comprises a pivot assembly that pivots a gripping portion around a vertical axis that is substantially parallel to the main arm of the robotic attacher, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the supplemental arm.

Abstract: The root penetrating nozzle for herbicide applicator is designed to penetrate and inject herbicide into the stem or root of a plant. The root penetrating nozzle for herbicide applicator comprises a penetrating tip that pierces the outer surface to penetrate the plant, an undulating tip that is used to deliver the herbicide, and a cap, coupling, and herbicide channel to connect the root penetrating nozzle for herbicide applicator to a source of herbicide.

Abstract: The invention describes an automated method, device and system for both husbandry and study purposes of animals by providing a heat reward for specific behavior. Embodiments include maintaining the cage temperature at a normal, comfortable temperature for the animals, such as mice, using radiant heat rather than conducted heat to provide the reward, using home cages for the animals, detecting the behavior fully automated, operating in animal darkness, and using cages that are free of electrical penetrations. Some embodiments have one animal in a cage. Some embodiments have or support multiple animals in a cage and include methods to detect automatically identify animals, locate animals in the cage and associate a behavior and reward for a specific animal. Some embodiments place all sensors and radiant heat sources outside the cage, or use infrared sources for both heating and for IR camera lighting.

Abstract: A Fishing Lure Jig is formed firstly about a split ring or keychain ring that has a double wire portion and also a single wire portion. Thus, a fishing hook having a tightly wound rounded end threaded upon the single wire portion can be effectively stuck there so that it can not proceed up and over the double wire portion as the rounded end is too small to ride through both wires (the double wire portion) at the same time. Then a second hook is attached at its rounded end in the double wire portion and a connector hoop is also loaded thereon so that the first hook with the narrow rounded end is stuck between these two. A connection chain is attached to the connector hoop and a ball is attached to the opposite end thereof using a similar mechanism.

Abstract: A system comprises a milking box, a robotic attacher, a sensor, and a controller. The milking box has a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock. The stall comprises a first exit gate on a first side of the stall leading to a first sorting region and a second exit gate on a second side of the stall leading to a second sorting region. The robotic attacher extends from the rear between the hind legs of the dairy livestock, move in at least one direction along the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock. The sensor identifies the dairy livestock within the milking box stall. The controller selects and opens the first exit gate or the second exit gate based at least in part upon the identity of the dairy livestock in order to direct the first dairy livestock into either the first sorting region or the second sorting region.

Abstract: A device for carrying out at least one measurement and for removing milk samples from a milking machine, through which milk can flow and which contains an air separation device, a measurement device, a sample removal device and a channel that is open to the top. The air separation device is designed to separate the milk from air with which the milk is mixed. The measurement device is device and is connected to the air separation device by a first milk outlet opening of the air separation device and designed to carry out one or more measurements with the milk flowing through the device. The sample removal device is designed to supply milk to a sample container.

Abstract: A system includes a carriage track positioned adjacent to a rotary milking platform, a robot carriage positioned on the carriage track such that the robot carriage may move along the carriage track, and a controller. The controller determines a movement of a milking stall of the rotary milking platform from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. The controller further determines a position of the robot carriage on the carriage track corresponding to the movement of the milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The controller also communicates a position signal to a carriage actuator coupled to the robot carriage and the carriage track. The position signal causes the carriage actuator to move the robot carriage along the carriage track to the determined position in conjunction with the movement of the rotary milking platform.

Abstract: A puzzle pet toy and treat dispenser that includes a housing, a lid, an inner chamber with a plurality of vertical radial walls, a drum aperture, a motor assembly, and an external chamber. The plurality of containers hold non-liquid pet treats, and an opening on the drum aperture aligned vertically with the tangential walls allows the pet treat on a given container to be released into the external chamber and dispensed via timer or controlled wirelessly through a wireless remote or controlled by a mobile device like a smart phone or tablet through a wirelessly connected app interface.

Abstract: A bag constructed of a weed suppression material for packaging a ground cover material. When the bag is in a closed configuration, the bag serves as a container for shipping, handling, and storage of the ground cover material. When the bag is opened and unfolded, and the ground cover material within the bag is spread over the opened and unfolded bag, the bag serves as a layer of weed suppression material on top of underlying soil and beneath the ground cover. The weed suppression material is a porous, water permeable, biodegradable film made from mixtures of a polybutylene succinate (PBS) resin, a polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) resin, a polylactic acid (PLA) resin, a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) resin, a polybutylene adipate succinate (PBAS) resin, or a thermoplastic starch (TPS).

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, wherein the step (A) and the step (B) are independently carried out for a predetermined period of time under cultivation conditions such that a fertilizer is used for each of the step (A) and the step (B), of which at least the fertilizer used for the step (A) is applied in the form of a nutritious liquid containing fertilizer ingredients and further carbon dioxide added therein. Preferably, a nutritious liquid is applied at each of the step (A) and the step (B), and the nutritious liquid applied at the step (A) contains carbon dioxide at a concentration higher than that in the nutritious liquid applied at the step (B).

Abstract: Pet entertainment apparatus having a rotating portion with a lure rotatably attached to a base portion.

Abstract: A jump cup for equestrian activities which includes two curved plates for supporting the ends of two jump poles and two hinges that allows the two curved plates to rotate independently from each other and to a single pinned attachment point to a conventional jump standard.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroponic system, which comprises at least a hydroponic tank and at least a level adjustment tank. The hydroponic tank and the level adjustment tank are respectively provided with at least a carrier for carrying or growing plants and at least a float. Each carrier and float is linked by a linkage mechanism. The summed fluid level of the level adjustment tank is much smaller than that of the hydroponic tank, so by filling or discharging a small amount of an adjustment solution in or out of the level adjustment tank, the height of the float in the level adjustment tank can be altered with the elevation of the fluid level; as such, the level adjustment tank can greatly save the required water amount and shorten the operation time of a water pump.

Abstract: A platform bird feeder is provided including a base platform with a seed tray, a baffle and a center pole having a bottom end connected the tray, the baffle being tiltably and adjustably mounted to the pole above the base. Preferably, the seed tray has a seed protecting grate to hinder squirrels from accessing the seed in the tray. The height of the baffle above the seed tray may be adjusted up and down to allow the user to increase and decrease the seed access space, respectively, between the baffle and the tray. When the baffle is at a desired height, it is secured in place by an adjustable securing mechanism that, while holding the baffle at the desired height, allows the baffle to tilt or wobble when sufficient weight is placed on one side of the baffle.

Abstract: A device comprising: a support base and an chamber, located on the support base, having an entry opening so that an animal can enter and exit the chamber; wherein the chamber includes an axis of rotation that forms an angle of about 80 degrees or less with a vertical plane.

Abstract: The arrangement (100) includes a sap collecting device (102) and a slide clamp (104). The sap collecting device (102) includes a tubing fixation portion (140) over which the free end of the flexible tubing (106) can be removably inserted with a frictional engagement. The slide clamp (104) includes an annular sleeve portion (180) that is slidingly insertable over the unexpanded outer diameter of the flexible tubing (106) and removably positionable proximate the free end of the flexible tubing (106), when the free end of the flexible tubing (106) is inserted over the tubing fixation portion (140), to constrict the free end in a withdrawal-resisting frictional engagement with the tubing fixation portion (140). The slide clamp (104) also includes a plug portion (182) having an outer peripheral wall surface (206) on which the free end of the flexible tubing (106) is removably insertable to prevent air and contaminants from entering.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for repelling flying insects. In particular, the present apparatus and method is effective at repelling mosquitoes via the mechanical movement of air in a space that is subject to mosquito presence. The mechanical movement of air is achieved via the utilization of a centrifugal fan system contained in the disclosed apparatus. The present apparatus also comprises a compartment suitable for containing a substrate that may be utilized as a habitat for plants.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for the propagation and survival of Deschampsia antarctica suitable for industrial scale production. In particular, the process defines selected bioreactor conditions whereby morphologically high quality plants are obtained at high rates. This invention further discloses a bioreactor design which includes a design for automated temporary immersion of explants in a culture medium.

Abstract: A teatcup liner, for use in a method of providing enhanced teat massage during a milking operation, includes a cross-sectional shape defining plural corner portions and plural side portions with a first side portion being a weak side and each remaining side portion being a strong side; with the weak side having a greater flexibility than each strong side such that during a collapse phase, the collapse of the weak side occurring first and being greater than the collapse of each strong side creates an asymmetric pressure distribution with a greater pressurized area resulting in a prolonged contact surface against the teat end across a first surface region of the cross-sectional shape opposite the weak side as compared to a remainder of the cross-sectional shape, the increased pressurized area across the first surface region providing an enhanced teat massage during the collapse phase.

Abstract: A system includes a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, and first and second side walls extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall that accommodates a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion adjacent to the rear wall. It houses a separation container that receives milk to be discarded from the dairy livestock. The equipment portion further houses a robotic attacher that extends from behind and between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.