Abstract: A structure for underwater placement on a sea, lake or river bottom. The structure has tunnels to allow water and water currents, as well as marine organisms, to pass freely therethrough and infiltrate and colonize the openings. One or more hitch points are provided on the structure for attaching mooring lines to ships, boats, floating wind turbines or other floating objects, thereby allowing the structure to serve as a mooring to anchor such objects. The hitch points can be recessed within a depression in the surface of the structure and the hitch bar ends can also be recessed, providing an exterior surface free of protuberances.

Abstract: An animal blanket comprises a main body panel, an underbody panel and a set of fasteners. The main body panel drapes over a back of an animal, such as a horse. The underbody panel extends across a belly of the animal. The first set of fasteners releasably connect the main body panel and the underbody panel. In one embodiment, the main body panel comprises a barrel panel and a neck panel, and the underbody panel comprises a belly panel and a chest panel. A first side of the underbody panel is connected to the main body panel via the set of fasteners. In one embodiment, a second side of the underbody panel is also connected to the main body panel via the set of fasteners. In another embodiment, the second side of the underbody panel is connected to the main body panel via a stitched seam.

Abstract: An oriole jelly birdfeeder is provided that includes a jelly holding container, a base having a feeding platform and a connecting element for connecting the base to the container, and a mixing mechanism. The mixing mechanism includes a mixer element and a mixer handle which are coupled to one another and rotatable together. The mixer element includes a paddle positioned within the connecting element to enable the user to mix and distribute the jelly, which is held within the container, onto the feeding platform as needed by rotating the mixer handle.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device that satisfies the need for a youth/small person stirrup attachment for an adult sized saddle to accommodate needs of a youth/small person saddle without the expense of a uniquely sized saddle for the child. The attachment has: a middle portion for support of a child/youth; a front portion of the attachment coupled to an adult saddle horn; a stretchable strap coupled on a first end to a rear portion of the attachment; a second end of the stretchable strap coupled to a rear portion of the adult saddle; a bottom portion of has attachment having a friction layer between the attachment and a top layer of the adult saddle; and a pair of stirrups with each stirrup coupled to a side of the middle area of the attachment by a stirrup adjustment portion. Such an attachment enhances the safety and comfort of said child/youth while riding a horse.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosed technology may include systems and apparatus for extracting and delivering nutrients from biomass for plant growth. In an example implementation, an apparatus is provided for supporting a multi-level system for extracting and distributing nutrients from biomass for plant growth, the apparatus includes two or more support structures. Each support structure includes two or more vertical strength members disposed substantially vertically on opposing sides of a corrugated base cylinder and are stabilized by at least one corrugations associated with the base cylinder. The apparatus includes two or more horizontal retaining members in communication with the respective two or more vertical strength members and operable to secure the two or more vertical strength members against the base cylinder. The apparatus also includes one or more upper troughs supported by the two or more support structures and disposed in a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A latching system is operable to prevent inadvertent total release of two straps secured by the latching system as the two straps are being latched together. The latching system includes a buckle affixed to an end of a first strap and a plurality of fixed studs affixed to a second strap to be secured to the first strap. The plurality of fixed studs successively latch with the buckle as the second strap is pulled through a first section of the buckle. One of the fixed studs will catch in the buckle even if the first strap is pulled away from the second strap before latching is completed. Latching is completed by passing the second strap through a second portion of the buckle. In one embodiment, when latching is complete, two fixed studs engage the buckle to secure the second strap to the first strap.

Abstract: An indexing system for an in ovo injection apparatus is provided. Such an indexing system provides a positioning scheme for an egg carrier carrying a plurality of avian eggs to an injection assembly for injection thereof. The indexing system includes an initial stop provided to abut the trailing end of the egg carrier to form a first egg carrier position such that a first subset of the plurality of avian eggs is injected. An intermediate stop is provided to abut the trailing end of the egg carrier to form a second egg carrier position such that a second subset of the plurality of avian eggs is injected. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for producing fungi for use in an ecosystem provides a production substrate and a spawn substrate that can be combined on demand to cultivate fungi and fungi byproducts. The substrates go through a systematic process by which they are prepared, positioned in separate sections of the vessel, sanitized, inoculated with a fungi culture, and finally combined at la later time and place demand by cutting the seal. In this manner, the shelf life is extended. The vessel is then placed inside a dispersion container, where the fungi and fungi byproducts disperse towards the ecosystem. The dispersion container comprises a container exhaust for allowing a vessel exhaust to at least partially pass through. The fungi by product directionally releases from the vessel exhaust through a vessel exhaust, such as a mesh or webbed aperture sized to release gases and extraneous liquids.

Abstract: A control and monitoring system for a rotating animal platform which includes multiple animal stalls arranged about its periphery, where the system includes an interactive display screen which displays output information relating to the current status of operations on the platform and which displays input channels for use by an operator, the platform itself is represented at said interactive display screen by an annular shape, each stall on the platform is graphically represented by a cell, the cells are displayed in a spatial arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of stalls on the platform, real-time status information relating to operations on the platform is represented at each cell, and the rotating movement of the platform is represented by the progression of each cell about the displayed representation of the platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal chew toy comprising a first material including a body portion and one or more exposed regions comprising a second material, the material of the exposed regions at least partially occupying one or more blind holes in the body portion wherein the one or more blind holes may include an undercut or die locked condition to aid in retaining the second material. The chew may be formed via a number of molding methods including those utilizing injection molding or extrusion techniques. The first and second materials may comprise edible compositions.

Abstract: A hoof boot has a base, a heel captivator, and a pivoting mechanism that disposes the heel captivator to pivot relative to the base, preferably in a manner that allows the heel captivator at least three degrees of freedom of movement relative to the base. The heel captivator is preferably low in the rearmost portion, which provides clearance for the pastern bones of the equine lower leg to descend upon weight bearing during movement at various gaits. To reduce the possibility for bruising and chaffing of soft tissue around the pastern bones, and to help eliminate accumulation of debris, preferred heel captivators have an open mesh architecture. Heel captivators can alternatively or additionally be designed with fabric covered neoprene or other liners. Boots are preferably tightened using mechanically advantages laces.

Abstract: A novel strain of Pleurotus nebrodensis (Daewang No. 1, Accession No.: KACC93181P) and a method for cultivating it are provided. The novel strain of Pleurotus nebrodensis is different from the existing Pleurotus ferulae in shape and physiological characteristic, has an extra after-ripening period, can be grown at a low temperature of 22 to 25° C. and a low water content (RH) of 60 to 65%, can be cultivated in slightly acid environment of pH 5.5 to 6.5, can utilize bottle cultivation, and has a good shape not to be easily damaged in packaging. Thus, the novel strain of Pleurotus nebrodensis according to the present invention have good commercial value, are more resistant to environmental change, and can be mass produced by automation system.

Abstract: A vine support system includes support posts adjacent each vine trunk with support wires suspended between the support posts. Positioning shafts are mounted vertically extending from the support wires. Pedistular supports are engaged on the positioning shafts for releasably supporting canes extending from each vine trunk, with the pedistular supports vertically positioned on the positioning shafts for pronation by the canes to suspend new growth from the canes in a fruiting zone.

Abstract: A movable spraying and feeding station having a free standing frame structure. A spraying hood structure and a feed holder are mounted to the frame structure. A motion sensor and spray nozzles are mounted on the spraying hood structure. A housing is mounted to the frame structure for the insecticide reservoir, a pumping assembly, a timing circuit, as well as a battery which is charged by a solar panel mounted on the top of the frame structure.

Abstract: A peat moss composition having improved water holding capacity, hydrophilicity, and/or anti-leaching properties comprising one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives, is disclosed. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fly mask for horses has a cage structure supporting a mesh, the structure being formed of semi-rigid plastic splines which hold the mesh away from the eyes and most of the surfaces of the horse's head. In a preferred form the fly mask has protruding lines at the location of the splines, protecting the mask against excessive wear due to rubbing of the mask against posts or other building structure when worn. A detachable protective nose guard can be included.

Abstract: A plant cage kit includes a wire grid, a bottom ring, and a top ring. The wire grid has a plurality of first and second spaced-apart wires. Each of the second wires is coupled to each of the first wires to form the wire grid. The first end of each second wire is formed into a loop and the second end of each second wire is formed into a hook. The hook of each second wire engages the loop of the same second wire when the plant cage kit is in the assembled configuration. When the plant cage kit is in the shipping configuration, the plurality of first wires is generally positioned in a first plane such that wire grid has a generally flat shape. The bottom and top rings have a generally U-shaped cross-section portion forming respective channels.

Abstract: A multilevel birdbath consists of a main body that has a concave, contoured inside surface and an exterior lower surface, the main body further has a flat rim surrounding the concave inside surface and the concave inside surface optionally has stepped areas fluctuating in height and a sloping portion such that the stepped areas would create different depths of the multilevel birdbath which can accommodate and attract birds of different sizes and species.

Abstract: A flexible reflective flat retractable pet leash is retained within a retractable housing device. The reflective pet leash reflects incoming light beams back in the same direction as emanated. The reflected light beam provides accurate illumination of the pet leash and the location of the pet during dusk or nighttime hours. This retractable pet leash is created by weaving or integrating reflective material fabric/tape within a flat leash portion. The reflective retractable pet leash is composed of a flat leash portion operable to sustain substantial tensile forces having a front and back side. Reflective means are integrated within the flat leash portion being operable to provide reflectivity. A retractable housing device having a handle portion, a retraction control member actuated by a retraction control switch, a housing body with an internal chamber appointed with a reel member, and an extension-retraction aperture is provided for housing the leash.

Abstract: A molded planter includes a container and a separate rim insert for providing the appearance of a wide upper rim. The rim insert is configured to snap fit into the upper annular edge of the container. When the rim insert and container are assembled, the upper annular edge of the container extends to or above the upper surface of the rim insert such that there is no visible seam between the container and rim insert when the planter is viewed from the side.