Abstract: A seed germination and plant supporting utility are disclosed. The utility includes a spacer having a passageway therethrough between opposite spacer ends. Mesh is positioned at both ends of the spacer. First and second retainers are receivable at the ends of the spacer adjacent to the mesh positioned thereat and have openings therethrough in correspondence with the spacer passageway. The mesh is thus held apart a selected distance with the passageway through the spacer enshrouded by the mesh yet accessible at both ends through the mesh and the openings in the retainers.

Abstract: A liquid meter including a freely rotatable impeller driven by a constant speed drive. Liquid to be metered is introduced as a flow against, and accelerated by, the impeller. The energy necessary to accelerate the liquid is monitored to determine liquid flow. Preferably, the impeller is driven through a magnetic coupling which facilitates isolation of at least large portions of the drive from the liquid flow. One preferred embodiment employs a pair of spring coupled shutters with one shutter being magnetically coupled to the impeller. The displacement of the spring is dependent on liquid flow with that displacement being determined by photoelectrically monitoring the relative positions of the shutters. The power necessary to maintain the drive at constant speed may also, or alternatively, be monitored to determine liquid flow.

Abstract: A valving system is disclosed that is useful for milking of animals such as cows. A stimulator, that includes one or more stimulator units each of which has biased elements, is releasably positioned on one or more teats of the animal to be milked and a warm liquid such as water is conducted through the stimulator units and ejected therefrom onto the associated teat or teats in order to induce milk let down. Each biased element has resilient gripping teeth to engage the teats of the animal to be stimulated. After the supply of liquid is terminated and the teat cups of a milking apparatus have been positioned on the animal, milk is withdrawn from the animal through a valve under the control of a control unit that has an input responsive to the temperature of the milk being withdrawn.

Abstract: Fluid, such as milk, is conducted into the meter through an inlet passage and received in a fluid receptacle at least a portion of which is movable with at least a portion of the movement being in response to receipt of the fluid with the fluid then being expelled from the meter through a discharge passage. A sensor senses the movement of the movable portion caused by receipt of fluid in the fluid reservoir and, responsive thereto, provides an electrical signal indicative of the amount of fluid received, which electrical signal is coupled from the meter for utilization purposes. In one disclosed embodiment, a rotating wheel has fluid receptacles at the rim to receive the fluid conducted into the meter with the fluid being later (in the rotation of the wheel) dumped from the receptacle and expelled from the meter through the discharge passage.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that is particularly useful for milking of animals such as cows. The system includes a control unit to control functioning of a stimulator and a milking apparatus, including automatic termination of stimulation and milking, removal of the milking apparatus after milking, and rinsing (or sanitizing) and draining of the apparatus to ready the same for milking of another animal. A stimulator controlled by the control unit applies a warm liquid to one or more teats of the animal to be milked for a predetermined period of time to induce milk let down. After a valve has been placed in milking position to connect the milk line to the teat cups of the milking apparatus and the teat cups have been placed on the stimulated animal, milking of the animal is commenced and will continue until automatically or manually terminated.

Abstract: A stimulating and valving system is disclosed that is useful for milking of animals such as cows. A stimulator, that includes one or more stimulator units each of which has biased elements, is releasably positioned on one or more teats of the animal to be milked and a warm liquid such as water is connected through the stimulator units and ejected therefrom onto the associated teat or teats in order to induce milk let down. Each biased element has resilient gripping teeth to engage the teats of the animal to be stimulated. After the supply of liquid is terminated and the teat cups of a milking apparatus have been positioned on the animal, milk is withdrawn from the animal through a valve under the control of a control unit that has an input responsive to the temperature of the milk being withdrawn.