Abstract: A trellis support system comprises a vertical post comprising a front portion and first and second opposing side wall portions, the front portion comprising an aperture, the aperture comprising a first portion and a second portion adjacent the first portion, and a horizontal cross arm perpendicular to the vertical post comprising a front portion and first and second opposing side wall portions dimensioned to match the front and side wall portions of the post, the front portion comprising a tab member dimensioned to engage the first portion of the aperture and a lock member positioned adjacent the tab member and dimensioned to engage the second portion of the aperture.

Abstract: A liquid herbicide applicator includes a length adjustable handle member and a reservoir removably coupled to the handle member, the reservoir defining an inlet for receiving a liquid and an outlet from which to dispense liquid. The applicator includes a valve assembly coupled to the reservoir outlet operative between an open configuration that allows the liquid to flow through the outlet and a closed configuration that prevents the liquid from flowing through the outlet. The valve assembly is biased toward the closed configuration. A dispenser assembly having a cap portion is operatively coupled to the valve assembly and includes an application portion connected to the cap portion, the cap portion being selectively movable closer to the valve assembly so as to urge the valve assembly to the open configuration and away from the valve assembly so to allow the valve assembly to return to the closed configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in a milking system for creating a required vacuum level, the milking system comprising at least two variable speed vacuum pumps P1, P2. The method comprises the steps of: utilizing a first variable speed vacuum pump P1 for creating the required vacuum level within the milking system; monitoring the vacuum level requirement within the milking system, and when the vacuum level requirement of the milking system is such that the speed of the first variable speed vacuum pump P1 reaches a first speed threshold then: starting a second variable speed vacuum pump P2, and running the first and second variable speed vacuum pumps P1, P2 in parallel for creating the required vacuum level. The invention also relates to computer program products.

Abstract: An animal support harness and method of supporting and restraining movement of an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a sling that can be routed around the abdomen of the animal, and a plurality of primary support straps extend and are joined at a handle. A leash strap is integrated with the handle, and extends to connect to the collar of the animal. The integral leash strap along with the primary support straps enables an owner to control not only an upward supporting force for the animal, but also provides an inherent restraint to prevent an animal from walking too quickly or lunging, which might otherwise harm the animal.

Abstract: An upright planting apparatus includes a row of juxtaposed mesh pipe units disposed uprightly and a fixing unit. Each of the mesh pipe units includes an outer mesh pipe, and a liquid supply pipe. The outer mesh pipe has an upright tubular wall formed with a plurality of mesh holes extending through inner and outer surfaces of the upright tubular wall, and a groove that extends around said outer surface of the upright tubular wall to receive a plant culture medium. The liquid supply pipe is disposed axially inside the outer mesh pipe and has a plurality of liquid-seeping holes. The fixing unit fixes together the outer mesh pipes of the mesh pipe units.

Abstract: A method for improving the throughput of milking animals in a rotary milking system including a rotary platform, which milking animals enter and leave in a sequential order in order to be milked provides that a plurality of milking animals to be milked by the rotary milking system are identified; a measure indicative of the expected time required for performing at least one action on the rotary platform with respect to each of the milking animals is retrieved; and the milking animals are allowed to enter the rotary platform of the rotary milking system in an order, which is based on the measures indicative of the expected times required for performing the at least one action on the rotary platform with respect to the milking animals.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile milking implement having a frame with, a sub-frame which is adjustable in height and which has at least one teat cup holder and a teat cup movable relative thereto. The teat cup holder is tiltable, via a tilting mechanism coupled to the teat cup holder and the frame between a substantially vertical position and a second partially inverted position. The milking implement protects the teat cups against contamination and is capable of storing them in a compact manner.

Abstract: A root watering system for a tree or a shrub includes an outer container of a water-permeable, flexible material. A perforated, hollow inner support structure maintains the flexible material in an elongated shape between first and second ends. The outer container is positioned in the ground with the elongated shape proximate to the roots of the tree or shrub and with the first end proximate to the surface of the ground and with the second end near a lower end extending generally downward toward the lower portion of the root system of the tree or shrub. Water applied to the ground proximate the upper end of the outer container enters the first end and fills the outer container including the hollow inner support structure. Water within the outer container is released through the porous, flexible material to provide water to the root system of the tree or shrub.

Abstract: A fumigation apparatus for decontamination or disinfection of a building having a fumigation pollution source, a fog generator, a hose for conveying fog to a building to be fumigated and a nozzle on the outer end of said hose that includes a body portion and a radially extending flange that has at least one slot so that when said apparatus is pumping fog into said building air is drawn through the slots to improve the flow of fog into the building.

Abstract: A device for projecting ice cubes onto a roof to scare away birds, especially pigeons. The use of ice is environmentally friendly and will not jam gutters.

Abstract: An improved squeeze chute apparatus, which may be portable or stationary, includes a frame having an entrance end, an exit end, a first side, a second side, an upper end and a lower end. A first upstanding sidewall is positioned at the first side of the frame and a second upstanding sidewall is positioned at the second side of the frame. The sidewalls are movable between inner and outer positions with respect to the frame. First and second entrance gate members, which are movable between open and closed positions, are positioned at the entrance end of the frame. First and second exit gate members, which are movable between open and closed positions, are positioned at the exit end of the frame. The gate members and sidewalls are operated by hydraulic cylinders having resilient mounts at the base and rod ends thereof. Each of the gate members has two hydraulic cylinders connected thereto. Each of the sidewalls has four hydraulic cylinders connected thereto.

Abstract: A counterweighted, crowd gate includes parallel overhead tracks extending from end to end of a holding area for cows. A wheeled carriage extends between and rides on the tracks. An electric motor drives the carriage between the entrance and exit of the holding area. A counterweighted gate pivotally attached to the carriage extends perpendicularly to the floor of the holding area. A latch on the carriage holds the gate in essentially a vertical orientation. An operator trips the latch and the counterweight pivots the gate to a substantially horizontal position, so the gate passes over animals in the holding area upon return to the entrance. The gate is pivotally mounted to the carriage by bushings that electrically insulate the gate from the carriage to prevent harm to animals or individuals that come in contact with the gate. A control panel allows operation of the crowd gate from a remote location.

Abstract: A shaft in a cylindrical configuration has upper and lower ends and a cylindrical passageway. A housing forms a chamber with an open top and an open bottom. The chamber is in operative communication with the passageway. A sheet has a center, a periphery and a central extent. The sheet has a deployed orientation. The deployed orientation is in a generally hemispherical configuration. The center of the sheet is supported by the housing. The periphery of the sheet is provided adjacent to ground around the shaft. In this manner the plant is covered. The sheet has a stored orientation. The center of the sheet in the passageway is provided adjacent to the lower end. The central extent of the sheet is provided there above.

Abstract: A chemical shell for insertion into a tree comprising an elongated hollow tubular member having a closed first end and an open second end with a rim portion extending outwardly from the closed end. A non-aqueous chemical is contained within the tubular member and a water-soluble tubular sleeve extends over the open second end of the tubular member and at least a portion of the tubular member to maintain the chemical in the tubular member until the shell has been inserted into a tree so that the sap in the tree dissolves the sleeve to permit the chemical in the tubular member to be released into the tree when dissolved by the sap in the tree.

Abstract: An animal support harness and method of supporting and restraining movement of an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a sling that can be routed around the abdomen of the animal, and a plurality of primary support straps extend and are joined at a handle. A leash strap is integrated with the handle, and extends to connect to the collar of the animal. The integral leash strap along with the primary support straps enables an owner to control not only an upward supporting force for the animal, but also provides an inherent restraint to prevent an animal from walking too quickly or lunging, which might otherwise harm the animal.

Abstract: The tree stand apparatus provides lateral support and a large reservoir created by the conical shape enables fewer fillings of the apparatus. The numerous transfer orifices ensure that clogging especially typical of evergreen tree stands, does not occur, as full communication exists between the tree cylinder and the reservoir. The ability to easily drain and refill the apparatus ensures fresh water supply as well as supply of nutrients that further enhance tree livelihood. Problems of water drainage typical of after-use of a tree stand are negated by the valved drain bib that is disposed immediately adjacent to the bottom of the reservoir, thereby ensuring full drainage. The apparatus provides fill holes that are diametrically opposed, with one fill hole radialy aligned with a float that slides vertically on a float slide to enable exterior viewing of internal water level.

Abstract: Couplable first and second hemispheres form a hollow spherical chamber. An opening in one of the hemispheres has a door movable between a closed and an open position. The top of a base is in a concave configuration with a radius of curvature essentially equal to the radius of curvature of the spherical chamber and forms a recipient surface for receiving and rotatably supporting the spherical chamber. An animal within the spherical chamber may walk and run in place for exercising in a relatively restricted space.

Abstract: An animal feeder 10 comprises a container 11 into which liquid feed for a young animal can be placed. A mounting arrangement 12 coupled to the container is of a construction which, in use, enables the container 11 to be attached to an element of a structure such as a rail of a fence. At the lowermost part of the container 11 is a teat mounting 13 which has at least first and second teat mountings 19 and 20. The first teat mounting 19 has a different orientation relative to the container 11 to that of the second teat mounting 20. As a result an end user of the feeder can select one of the teat mountings 19 and 20 for the mounting of a teat P depending on whether the end user wants the teat P to project away from or through the fence on which the container is mounted. A bung or blanking plug 24 is used to seal the other teat mounting.

Abstract: A live animal trap including an enclosure having an open end; a door for covering the forward opening; a hinge for door motions between first and second positions, the door covering the opening in the first position and opening the enclosure in the second position, the door pivoting toward the first position upon enclosure righting and upon inversion counter-pivoting to the second position; a slide shaft; a slide sleeve facilitating slide shaft motions between third and fourth positions, the slide shaft holding the door open while in the third position, the slide shaft releasing the door while in the fourth position, the slide shaft sliding toward the third position upon down tilting the enclosure and sliding toward the fourth position upon up tilting the enclosure; and having an animal contact member attached to the slide shaft's rearward rear end.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an improved flying insect trap, in the form of a housing and internal disposable portion. In one embodiment, the exterior portion comprises roof and body panels which are manufactured from a poster board paper stock that is printed on opposing sides with contrasting colors. The interior portion comprises a self-adhesive assembly constructed from a heavy weight chipboard material that is preferably white that surrounds an internal attractive element.