Abstract: A watering valve device includes a first electromagnetic coil for opening a valve to enable a sprinkling system and a second electromagnetic coil for closing the valve. An electronic circuit is provided for supplying current pulses for selectively energizing the two coils to control sprinkling in response to ground moisture and/or sunlight. The circuit includes a first timer for maintaining the sprinkling valve on for a predetermined timer period after sunlight occurs to assure penetration of the ground by moisture during night-time watering. The circuit includes a second timer for maintaining the valve on for a second predetermined time period following moisture detection by a ground probe to assure ground penetration by moisture during a moisture responsive, closed loop mode of control. The circuit and valve are operated by batteries that are charged by sunlight.

Abstract: A modular, feeder system comprises a master module and at least one slave module adapted to be coupled together in tandem. Each of the modules comprises a food container within a housing, with a lid on the housing being spring biased open but maintained normally closed by a latch. The latch is tripped by a trip collar carried by a shaft extending through the housing. An end of each shaft is adapted to be longitudinally coupled to the shaft of an adjacent module. Only the master module contains a timing device coupled to its shaft and mounted to its housing. The shafts of the master and slave modules are longitudinally coupled to each other to cause the lids to open in succession and in time relationship to each other.