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: A pet dental device includes a main body and an outer shell. The main body houses a pressure-actuated sound generator and that has outer surfaces from which a plurality of brushes extend. The outer shell covers at least a portion of the main body such that a gap exists between the shell and the outer surfaces of the main body, and includes a plurality of brush ports aligned with the brushes. The outer shell is sufficiently flexible to be compressed inward by a selected animal's jaws such that toothpaste is distributed via the brushes to teeth of the selected animal and such that sounds are generated, via the pressure-actuated sound generator housed in the main body, more or less simultaneously with the distribution of toothpaste.

Abstract: A cast net support apparatus including a mouthguard assembly and a cast net assembly is disclosed. These assemblies in conjunction with one another provide an easy-to-use casting net solution. The mouthguard assembly includes a mouthguard that is detachably tethered to the cast net assembly. The mouthguard includes a tether that is fastened to a rod. The rod is then inserted into a buoyant cast net support attachment that is in turn fastened to a net. When the user prepares the net for casting, they will grip the mouthguard that is tethered to the net edge in their mouth. Thereby affording them better support of the net before casting. The better support allows for a further and more accurate cast of the net. As the user casts the net the mouthguard tether detaches from the net leaving the user with the mouthguard in the user's mouth.

Abstract: An automatic animal paw washing machine includes a container having a flexible cover and opening at an open end thereof and a plurality of brushes secured therewithin. The brushes are in mechanical communication with a mechanism capable of being activated by a switch. The plurality of brushes is motioned in a rotating fashion when activated. The flexible cover is capable of being removed from the washing machine.

Abstract: The insect trap includes a trap portion and a base portion. The trap portion includes an enclosure with an adhesive surface, to adhere to an insect, and a first opening, where the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within the enclosure. The base portion includes a lighting element, to provide light to the trap portion, and a mounting portion, which may communicate with and receive power from a power source. The trap portion may removably engage the base portion and receive light from the base portion when engaged therewith. The base portion includes a snap protrusion and the trap portion includes a snap recess for receiving the snap protrusion, such that when the snap protrusion is received by the trap portion, the base portion and trap portion are engaged in a snap fit.

Abstract: A planter system includes fluid and light impervious first and second vessels, a plant growing medium, and a fluid impervious third vessel including a perimetric extremity and configured to hold the growing medium received therein through an opening defined by the perimetric extremity. The first and second vessels each includes a closed bottom and a rim encircling an opening over the closed bottom and configured with an inwardly-directed recess. The recess of the first vessel is configured to receive the perimetric extremity of the third vessel for supporting the third vessel over the first closed bottom. The recess of the second vessel is configured to receive the rim of the first vessel in a covering placement of the second vessel over the first vessel, and the closed bottom of the first vessel in a supporting placement of the second vessel under the first vessel.

Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of systems for producing radioisotopes and improving the specific activity of radioisotopes (e.g., Cu-64 chloride). As described herein, the system includes a target material area or target material shape that matches the proton beam strike area or proton beam strike shape, resulting in optimal thickness with less target material required.

Abstract: A method of decommissioning a nuclear facility, including: exposing the plurality of upper penetration holes by removing the plurality of sandboxes; enlarging an upper space of the cavity by cutting an upper portion of the biological shield concrete that is disposed between the plurality of upper penetration holes and between the plurality of upper penetration holes and the cavity; and separating the nuclear reactor pressure vessel from the biological shield concrete.

Abstract: A lighted pig feed dispersal apparatus having a frame, platform, feeder assembly, feeder light, solar panel, battery, motion sensor lights, arm supports, and extension arms. The frame has four legs, each of which has a distal end and a proximal end, and the proximal end of each leg is attached to the platform. The feeder assembly includes a barrel, and the feeder light is situated underneath the barrel. The solar panel is configured to power the feeder light, and the battery is situated inside of a top part of the barrel. The motion sensor lights extend outwardly from the top part of the barrel. The four arm supports that extend outwardly from a side wall of the barrel and are disposed about a perimeter of the top part of the barrel. The four extension arms are configured to slide onto the four arm supports.

Abstract: An automatic vertical farming system may include a frame defining at least one growth area and configured to support a plurality of vertical plant growth structures within the at least one growth area. The system may include at least one light, at least one liquid conduit, and at least one gas conduit. The system may include at least one robot disposed on a top side of the frame and movably supported by the frame. The at least one robot may include at least one tool configured to manipulate the plurality of vertical plant growth structures. The system may include a control system including at least one processor configured to automatically control illumination by the at least one light, liquid flow through the at least one liquid conduit, gas flow through the at least one gas conduit, and operation of the at least one robot.

Abstract: Growing devices, systems and methods for promoting growth of seedlings may include at least one energy output device; at least one growing environment that includes a first growing environment; a nutrient solution container within the first growing environment, the nutrient solution container for supporting seedlings during growth; at least one growth assist device (GAD) associated with the first growing environment; and a controller. The controller may generate consumption data regarding operation of the at least one GAD and generation data regarding operation of the at least one energy output device. The controller may determine, based on at least one predetermined constraint, as well as consumption data and generation data, a consumption-generation plan and may control energy output to at least one GAD based on the determined consumption-generation plan. The controller may control energy generation, by at least one energy output device, based on the determined consumption-generation plan.

Abstract: A pest detector includes: a first electrode; a second electrode that is arranged to face the first electrode; an electric field generator that generates an electric field in a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode; an imager that images at least the first electrode; and a hardware processor that determines an attaching state of insect pests that can be attached to the first electrode, based on an image captured by the imager.

Abstract: A securing device that secures an animal chew to prevent animal choking. A chew with one or more boreholes may be inserted into the cavity. A pin is inserted, through the body until it passes through the borehole. A latch obstructs the head of the pin so that the animal cannot work the pin free while enjoying the chew. To remove the pin, the animal's caretaker can apply force to the end of the pin to push it free past the latch.

Abstract: A chip-clip type snap trap for rodents is provided that includes a bait cup covered by a bait cap that prevents setting of the trap when the bait cap is in place, high side walls to properly orient a rodent before trap activation, and grip elements on the lid and base to prevent finger slippage when setting the trap. The lid and base of the trap snap together without the need for pins, fasteners or tools, providing for easy and cost-effective manufacture.

Abstract: An insect trap connectable to an electrical wall outlet is provided that releasably receives a replaceable card for trapping insect to an adhesive material. A light bar emits light in a sideways direction rearward of the card while the fan blocks forward light to produce a glow that attract insects to the adhesive surface of the card. The card is supported in cantilever by the insect trap.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises a fuselage and an aft wall of a lavatory monument within the fuselage and extending radially inwardly relative to the fuselage. The aft wall is removably connected to an outboard wall, a ceiling, and a floor of the lavatory monument.

Abstract: A system for training animals includes a hand-held device and a remote device, where the remote device applies a stimulus when a user presses a button or trigger on the hand-held device. The amount of pressure applied is measured by a pressure sensitive transducer and transformed into proportional transducer signals. These transducer signals are transmitted to the remote device, which then applies a stimulus to an animal being trained. The amplitude of the applied stimulus corresponds to the amplitude of the transducer signals; a trainer can thus precisely control the intensity of the stimulus by applying and relieving pressure on the button. The type of stimulus applied is controlled based on the position of a rotary switch on the hand-held device. Sensor data generated by specialized sensors in the remote device may be transmitted to the hand-held device to provide the user with sensory feedback.

Abstract: There is provided a milking cluster (102) for milking an animal, the milking cluster comprising a plurality of teat cups (1) connected to a clawpiece (106). The clawpiece comprises a plurality of milk inlets that are connected to the plurality of teat cups via respective short milk tubes (11). A milk flow passageway begins at the barrel of the teat cup and ends at the clawbowl of the clawpiece, and a valve system is present within each milk flow passageway. The valve system comprises a first pressure-actuated valve through which milk flowing along the milk flow passageway must pass.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed allows a user to easily garden in a reduced area or confined space with limiting yard or space to garden. The apparatus comprises a collapsible and portable planter that allows for growth of plants upwards and downwards, the planter being collapsible for shipping and transport from one location to another, and further providing a hardware component to elevate oneself or items from a ground surface. The planter is placed upon a support frame, the support frame being collapsible into a relatively flat or two-dimensional structure easy to carry. The planter can be removably placed upon the support frame. Further, the planter and support frame together as the apparatus can be picked up and moved as desired by a user. Embodiments of the apparatus are simply designed to allow a user easy set-up, assembly, and use.

Abstract: A grooming tool for a pet is disclosed. The grooming tool comprises a handle having a grip portion, a comb comprising teeth and including a blade for combing and removing shed hair from a pet where the comb located at a front end of the handle. The grooming tool also includes a hair removal member for removing shed hair from the comb, wherein the hair removal member is moveable in a direction corresponding to an extension direction of the teeth of the comb, a toggle button movable along a surface of the handle between a first position and a second position and a linkage assembly linking the toggle button to the hair removal member to control movement of the hair removal member; wherein when the toggle button is located at the first position, a front end surface of the hair removal member is located in a retracted position and when the toggle button is moved to the second position, the front end surface of the hair removal member is moved forward to an extended position to remove hair from the comb.