Abstract: A particulate delivery system for use with a mobile machine includes a particulate placement mechanism for placing particulate material in the ground in a single row as the machine travels along the ground, a plurality of particulate sources and a plurality of particulate meters. Each of the particulate meters operates independently and is configured to deliver particulate material from one of the particulate sources to the particulate placement mechanism for placement in the row. A controller may be configured to control a plurality of drive mechanisms, each drive mechanism associated with one of the particulate meters. The controller may also be configured to receive position information from a position determining device and to control operation of the drive mechanisms according to the position information and according to a field prescription.

Abstract: A fertilizer tube system for efficiently dispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germination injury. The fertilizer tube system generally includes a fertilizer tube having an input opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube, a tab attached to the fertilizer tube between the input opening and the output opening and a guard scraper attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube. The guard scraper includes a mounting portion having a receiver channel adapted to be removably attachable to a mounting member of a planter shank of a planter implement, wherein the mounting member is comprised of an inverted T-shaped structure.

Abstract: A fertilizer tube system for efficiently dispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germination injury. The fertilizer tube system generally includes a fertilizer tube having an input opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube, a tab attached to the fertilizer tube between the input opening and the output opening, a guard scraper attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube, wherein the guard scraper is removably attachable within a slot of a planter shank.

Abstract: A fertilizer tube system for efficiently dispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germination injury. The fertilizer tube system generally includes a fertilizer tube having an input opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube, an upper connector attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube, a central connector attached to a central portion of the fertilizer tube and a lower connector attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube.

Abstract: A method for operating an agricultural harvesting vehicle embodying a carrier vehicle and a front attachment includes measuring travel over a local ground-level change, such as a local bump, a local depression or both using at least one acceleration sensor and, depending upon the measured travel, counteracting pitch motions or rolling motions of the front attachment caused by travel over the local ground-level change.

Abstract: A mowing vehicle that includes: a raising/lowering control portion 59 that changes the height of the mower unit with respect to the ground between an operation height and a non-operation height, and a management portion 55 that provides control instructions to the raising/lowering control portion 59 and a mowing blade driving control portion 58 based on a result of detection performed by a traveling state detection portion 7.

Abstract: A weed trimming attachment for trimming machines commonly known as “weed eaters.” The weed trimming attachment comprises a weed eater head preferably made of a heavy-duty plastic and molded in a single piece. Each weed eater head includes at least two and preferably three trimmer connection portions that are equidistantly spaced around the general circumference of the weed eater head. A quick connect means secures trimming material, whether weed eater line, blades, or other trimming material, to the weed eater head at the trimmer connection portions. The weed trimming attachment easily replaces the attachment that is provided with the weed eater.

Abstract: An implement (1) for the cutting of stalks (2) in an onion plantation (3) which includes a chassis (4) on which there are mounted at least two rotating combing mechanisms (5, 6) of an essentially horizontal axis, a front combing mechanism (5) in which the lower part rotates in an opposite direction to the forward movement of the implement (1), and a rear combing mechanism (6) in which the lower part rotates in the same direction as the forward movement of the implement (1); also mounted on the chassis (4) is at least one essentially horizontal cutting bar (7), which is located behind the rear combing roller (6) to cut the stalks (2).

Abstract: A feeder drum used in an agriculture head to force the cut crop through an opening of said head. More specifically, this feeder drum is used to produce the transition from the lateral movement of the crop through the platform to a transverse longitudinal movement (with respect to lateral movement) which directs it to the platform carrier's feeder. Even more specifically, the feeder drum comprises a plurality of fins or blades attached to a cylinder, wherein said fins are characterized by containing one side with a profile describing a convex curve.

Abstract: A bale mover with self-adjusting spinners for loading/unloading bales and unrolling bales. The bale mover includes a cross member and a pair of opposing arms that extend generally orthogonally to the cross member. The cross member is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the bale mover to move the arms to extend away from the bale mover. The arms are moveable toward one another to pinch a bale between distal ends thereof. A spinner is provided at the distal end of each arm. The spinners include axles secured to the arms and spinner bodies which are rotatable about the respective axles to facilitate rotation of a bale engaged by the spinners. The spinners are also pivotable relative to the axles to enable alignment of the spinners with surfaces of the bale.

Abstract: A threshing section of an agricultural harvester. The threshing section includes a threshing drum and at least one concave assembly positioned proximate to the threshing drum. The concave assembly has a plurality of modularized assemblies, each modularized assembly being independently configurable.

Abstract: A continuous-operation baler assembly is provided which includes a separate and leading surge bin followed by a baler. The surge bin and baler each comprise a separate pick up mechanism for collecting agricultural material. When the baler has collected material and is ready to finish a bale the surge bin receives a signal and begins collecting agricultural material. Once the bale nears finish, the material collected by the surge bin is metered out into the path of or otherwise transferred to the baler during the next bale formation cycle, where it is picked up and formed into a bale.

Abstract: An agricultural baler has a shaft for coupling with a PTO, a flywheel connected to the shaft, and a plunger connected to the flywheel via a crank. An auxiliary motor is connectable to the flywheel and adapted for rotating said flywheel depending on a control signal. A motor controller is connected to the auxiliary motor and provided with an algorithm for determining the control signal for automatically rotating the flywheel to a predetermined launch position.

Abstract: An agricultural baler. The baler includes a baling chamber with a plunger that is provided to reciprocally move in the baling chamber. The baler further includes a pre-compression chamber with a slice pushing mechanism provided for periodically pushing a slice of crop material into the baling chamber. The plunger and the slice pushing mechanism are mechanically linked via respective driving systems to ensure synchronization, wherein a coupling means or coupling element is mounted in the mechanical link. The coupling means or coupling element is provided to adjust a synchronization timing.

Abstract: A method for intercropping includes planting a first determinate crop and a first indeterminate crop adjacent one another. A second indeterminate crop is planted in place of the first determinate crop after the first indeterminate crop has reached a desired maturity.

Abstract: A layered façade panel for being secured to a building or structure. In one embodiment, the panel includes a porous metal outer layer, a non-porous backing layer and an intermediate layer between the outer and backing layers, the outer metal layer having a porosity for allowing vegetation to grow through and to be supported in pores in the outer layer, and the intermediate layer being for supporting roots of the vegetation.

Abstract: A light green wall structure includes lateral and longitudinal support members and support containers. The lateral and longitudinal support members are combined with fixing elements to construct a vertical skeleton. The longitudinal support member has openings. Each opening has a notch toward to the edge of the longitudinal support member, and a hook is thus formed. The support container has a first lateral surface, a longitudinal surface, a second surface and an oblique surface sequentially adjacent. The first and second lateral surfaces are bent in two opposite bending directions, and the oblique surface is bent obliquely outward. Additionally, the support container has meshes for accommodating the hooks such that the support containers are horizontally and detachably engaged with the longitudinal support members. The second lateral surface is used to support plant containers. The present invention provides a planting function, and is particularly easily assembled and dissembled.

Abstract: An energy saving apparatus includes at least a planting rack having at least a panel and a collecting part, a wind pipe, an air conditioner, and an air blower. The panel further has a flow path, and the collecting part is located at a bottom of the panel communicative with the flow path. The wind pipe with bottom nozzles is located above the panel. The air conditioner coupled to the wind pipe is to spray a cool air to the panel through the nozzles. The air blower coupled between the collecting part and the air conditioner is to extract air, so that the cool air can flow from the top to the bottom of the panel, then flow down along the flow path to the collecting part, and finally be supplied back to the air blower for further recycling the cool air to the air conditioner.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to improve a self-adhesion-type adhesive tape for banding branches, stems, vines, young shoots and the like of plants. A self-adhesion-type adhesive tape is produced, which comprises a tape-shaped backing and an adhesive agent applied onto one surface of the backing. An elastomer that constitutes the adhesive agent is prepared by mixing 10 to 80% by weight of a styrene-isoprene-styrene block polymer having a styrene content of 14 to 19% by weight inclusive with 20 to 90% by weight of a styrene-isoprene-styrene block polymer having a styrene content of 25 to 50% by weight inclusive. The self-adhesiveness retention property, i.e., such a property that, when parts of the adhesive agent on the self-adhesion-type adhesive tape are bounded to each other so as to form an A-shaped loop and a weight is suspended on the loop, the state of the suspension can be retained, is examined.

Abstract: A coupler including an annular body having an annular body outer surface and an annular body inner surface connecting opposed annular body first and second faces, the annular body inner surface bounding an internal opening communicating between the opposed annular body first and second faces; the annular body having opposed annular body first and second ends which connect the annular body outer and inner surfaces and the annular body first and second faces to define a radial slot which communicates with the internal opening; the annular body sufficiently resiliently flexible to provide an adjustable radial slot width of the radial slot; and a plurality of spaced apart teeth radially inwardly projecting from the annular body inner surface.

Abstract: A structural cell system for supporting hardscape, allowing tree root growth, and managing stormwater underneath the hardscape. The system may include: a base having a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of support members interconnecting the receptacles; a plurality of legs each sized and shaped to be attachable to the base within one of the receptacles so as to extend from the base, and to be attachable to another of the legs so that pairs of legs attached to each other collectively extend from the base; and a top attachable to the legs. Outer edges of the base, the top, and the legs attached thereto define a volume, and are configured to support at least that portion of the hardscape overlying the top as well as a commercial vehicle traffic load thereon, while maintaining soil in a substantially uncompacted state throughout at least approximately ninety percent of the volume.

Abstract: The inventive concept is directed toward a system for collecting trimmings that is used and placed under bushes to be trimmed. The system consists of a sheet to be placed under the bush. The sheet has a cut starting at an edge of the sheet and is directed toward the center of the sheet. At the center of the sheet, a circle is formed which will surround the trunk of the bush when the sheet is installed. The edges of the cut are surrounded by a border or tape including the circle to prevent the edges from fraying and to identify the opening. The border tape adheres to both sides of the sheet. The outer corners of the cut at the outer edge are are closed by a closing system.

Abstract: A control system for moving an end effector of a work machine may include sensors for determining current orientations of components of a boom assembly connected to the work machine. A controller may be configured to receive, via an input interface, signals corresponding to a velocity input command for a desired movement of the end effector. The controller may determine, based upon the velocity input command and signals from the sensors, at least one target velocity for one or more actuators for the boom assembly. Commanding the actuators to move with the at least one target velocity may cause the end effector to move with an aggregate velocity corresponding to the desired movement of the end effector, as indicated by the velocity input command.

Abstract: Disclosed is an emitter comprising a plurality of holes 106, running along a first edge 102 and a second edge 104 of the emitter. The emitter 100 may further comprise of an echelon shaped teeth portion 114. The echelon shaped teeth portion may run parallel to the first edge 102 and the second edge 104. Further the echelon shaped teeth portion 114 at least partially extends between the first side 110 and the second side 112.

Abstract: An emitter (120) is arranged inside a tube and is constituted by a resin molded body that has at least a recessed part and a through hole. The emitter (120) has a screen part, an intake volume adjusting part, a pressure reducing part, a discharge volume adjusting part, and a discharge part. The screen part is constituted by a slit (301) and a recessed part that intersects the slit (301) when seen in plan view. The discharge part includes an infiltration preventing part that is for preventing the infiltration of foreign matter from the discharge opening of the tube.

Abstract: An irrigation system and method is provided that includes a set of longitudinal perforated tubing members, with each tubing member having a tubing proximal end attached or attachable to a proximal lateral fluid conduit and having a tubing distal end attached attachable to a distal lateral fluid conduit to form an irrigation array. Two types of cross members are provided, a spacer cross member and a tubing cross member. The cross members hold each of the perforated tubing members in a grid-like pattern forming a tubing/spacer array or a tubing/tubing array. The longitudinal perforated tubing may be cut to accommodate the shape of a landscape format. Methods are provided for joining or ending the cut portions. The irrigation array is created, attached to a water supply, and buried below the surface of the ground.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for the containment and dispensing of liquid in a container that can be stored more conveniently and easily. Apparatus are described wherein the liquid containing and dispensing apparatus has a main body and collapsible sides that enclose a liquid holding reservoir which is in fluid communication with a collapsible spout. The collapsibility of the sides and the spout reduces the size of both the profile and the volume of the apparatus, allowing it to be more easily stored.

Abstract: An automation apparatus for controlling irrigation and garden lighting, the apparatus comprising: one or more Switch Modules that are adapted to activate and deactivate one or more managed devices; at least one Control Module coupled to each of the one or more Switch Modules for communicating command data that causes a predetermined Switch Module to activate or deactivate a predetermined respective one or more managed devices; and a Power Supply Module coupled to power cable for providing a source of electrical power to each of the Control Module and the one or more Switch Modules. The apparatus can further include one or more Sensor Modules, the Sensor Module being adapted to obtain sensor data from one or more sensor devices and communicate the sensor data to at least one Control Module. Data communication between the Control Module and Switch Modules or Sensor Modules can be bi-directional and transported across the power cable.

Abstract: There is provided a vertically stacked multi-layer storage system suitable for the provision of temperature and/or humidity controlled storage of materials. There is particularly provided a vertically stacked multi-layer system having suitable lighting for use with any tray, pot, aeroponic and hydroponic plant growing system and apparatus to combine growing in an integrated growth tray having a suitable lighting source located under the growth tray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inbred sunflower, designated SA425A. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred sunflower SA425A, to the plants of inbred sunflower SA425A and to methods for producing a sunflower plant by crossing cultivar SA425A with itself or another sunflower. The invention further relates to methods for producing a sunflower plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic sunflower plants and plant parts produced by those methods and to methods for producing other hybrid sunflower derived from inbred sunflower SA425A.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated S140152 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S140152, to the plants of soybean cultivar S140152, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S140152, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S140152. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S140152. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S140152, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S140152 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 36211415 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 36211415, to the plants of soybean cultivar 36211415, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 36211415, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 36211415. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 36211415. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 36211415, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 36211415 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mutant allele of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) designated NSMA, which confers white seed color to sunflower plants. The present invention also relates to plants and seeds of the family or line carrying the NSMA allele. In addition, the present invention is also directed to transferring the NSMA allele to plants in the same species lacking the allele, and is useful for producing novel types and varieties of white-seeded sunflowers.

Abstract: A hybrid sunflower, designated X4237, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of hybrid sunflower X4237, to the plants of hybrid sunflower X4237 and to methods for producing a sunflower plant by crossing the cultivar X4237 with itself or another sunflower. The invention further relates to methods for producing a sunflower plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic sunflower plants and plant parts produced by those methods and to methods for producing other hybrid sunflower derived from hybrid sunflower X4237.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of Lactuca sativa, in particular to a new variety of lettuce designated NUN 06117 LTL as well as seeds and plants and heads or leaves thereof.

Abstract: An end effector that mounts to a robot and discharges animal treating fluid onto the teats of a milking animal includes a rigid inner arm section and a flexible outer arm section, and a camera with a front window. An inner end portion of the inner arm section is mountable to the robot, the inner end portion of the outer arm section is rigidly connected to outer end portion of the inner arm section, the camera is mounted on an upper side of the inner arm section with the front window facing the outer arm section, and the outer arm section is provided with at least one nozzle in the outer end portion, the nozzle being directed upwards such that animal treating fluid can be discharged through the nozzle and upwards towards a teat of a milking animal during use of the robot.

Abstract: A litter box for an animal, typically a pet, comprises a base which holds a drain pan that contains litter. A drawer slides to and from the interior cavity of the base. The drawer holds a funnel and container, for receiving liquid pet waste from the drain pan. A hinged lid pivots downwardly from the front of the base, to rest on the top of the front end of the drawer where it projects from the front of the litter box. The lid provides a step for pet access to the drain pan.

Abstract: A litter scooper that enables the user to efficiently clean scoopable cat litter from a litter box by removing feces and large clumps of litter soiled with urine as well as the many smaller clumps. Current litter scoopers have a receptacle with only one size of aperture slots to sift the litter that allows the smaller clumps to pass through thus continuing to cause odor in the litter box. The litter scooper of this invention teaches two sizes of aperture slots. The preferred embodiment is a receptacle with rear handle, normal sized aperture slots and a section of the reduced size aperture slots to one side. The invention enables the user to sift out larger clumps of litter saturated with urine and feces by using the section with larger aperture slots and removing the smaller clumps by using the section of reduced size aperture slots. Another preferred embodiment discloses a receptacle with two angular floor sections with the handle on the side between them.

Abstract: A process for reprocessing soiled animal bedding material commingled with animal manure. The soiled animal bedding material is separated in a shaker to send at least a preponderance of said manure to a holding tank. Said bedding material is subsequently dried and compacted to form a compacted product. Alternatively, said bedding material is dried (without a compacting step) to form a product.

Abstract: An animal lifting device and method is provided. In particular, a hip member and a chest member are provided that have handles thereon. The chest member and the hip member may be selectively interconnected to each other with an interconnection member. The chest member may include an upper portion, shoulder pads, a chest pad, a center cross member, and an adjustable strap. The hip member may include an upper portion, an adjustable sling, and adjustable straps.

Abstract: An animal interaction device is provided that includes a food access component which allows and disallows access to at least a portion of the food. In various embodiments, the allowing and disallowing of access to at least a portion of the food is dependent upon the animal's condition. A method is also provided such that the device above is provided to an animal, one or more indicators are optionally activated, the animal's first condition is sensed via one or more sensors, and based upon the animal's condition, the previously protected food is made accessible, and subsequently the protected food is made available again based upon the animal's second condition. A system is also provided for automatically interacting with an animal including at least one animal interaction device each of which comprises an initial interaction algorithm to automatically interact with the animal. Other aspects of the invention are provided.

Abstract: Herd control methods and systems are described that can achieve great benefits over conventional methods when applied to animal and range management. The methods allow much greater animal density than is possible by other means of intensive grazing. A herd can be turned out in a large pasture or unfenced rangeland without dispersal. The herd constantly moves to find new forage and water without the negative consequences of uncontrolled grazing, and fencing can be reduced or eliminated. The methods use devices attached to some or all of a plurality of animals to replicate a herdsman rather than a fence. These herding devices are equipped with components for measuring the distance to neighboring devices. A stimulation component actuated by the processor applies a stimulus, such as a sound or an electric shock, if the animal is too far from the herd.

Abstract: A cat scratcher attractant device having a vertically extending axis, a housing having a hollow interior, a motor supported by said housing and enclosed within the hollow interior, the motor having a rotatable shaft extending vertically along said central axis and a power supply for selectively activating the motor. A wand is provided with an attractant, the wand having first and second ends, the first end being fixed to the rotatable shaft and the second end being fixed to the attractant. The housing further includes a receiving slot and a scratcher, the scratcher being sized to be received and selectively retained by the receiving slot such that the scratcher extends from the housing and the attractant rotates above a portion of the scratcher when the motor is activated.

Abstract: A pet amusement system includes a controlling device having an image fetching unit, an amusing unit for amusing a pet, and a processing unit electrically connected to the amusing unit and the image fetching unit respectively; a transceiver; and a mobile device for activating the controlling device via the transceiver. The image fetching unit is a digital camera which can be activated by the processing unit.

Abstract: A pet amusement device includes a housing; a processing unit disposed in the housing; a transceiver for transmitting signals to the processing unit; an image fetching unit disposed in the housing and configured to encode digital images and videos of a pet, storing the recoded images and videos in digital files, and sending them to the processing unit; an amusing unit for amusing the pet; a feeding unit disposed on the housing and configured to feed the pet; and a power source for supplying power to the processing unit, the transceiver, the image fetching unit, the amusing unit, and the feeding unit respectively. The processing unit controls the transceiver, the image fetching unit, the amusing unit, and the feeding unit respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-adjusting link for connecting two anchors that move under a varying external force, comprising: N magnetic units; N?1 link connectors, each link connector connecting one unit to an adjacent unit, each magnetic unit being held by the link connectors such that each pair of adjacent units can move from a closed position where they are magnetically bound to an open position where they do not exert significant force on each other; and anchor connectors attached to the anchors. The length of the link increases as the external force increases sufficiently to cause one or more pairs of magnetic units to move from the closed position into one of the open positions to permit the anchors to further separate, and the length of the link decreases as the external force is reduced and one or more pairs of magnetic units move into the closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to monitor growth of an animal, in particular a calf, the method including recording, by a three-dimensional camera system, at least one three-dimensional image of the animal, and processing, by a processing device, the at least one image of the animal, wherein processing of the image comprises the steps of: forming a three-dimensional surface representation of a surface part of the animal from the at least one image, determining a size parameter representative for the size of the animal on the basis of the surface representation, and determining a volume parameter representative for the volume of the animal, and monitoring the volume parameter and size parameter or a combination thereof to monitor growth of the animal.

Abstract: An enclosure for a household pet is described that has a top portion and a bottom portion. The enclosure can have a plurality of substantially vertical sides extending between the bottom portion and the top portion to form an enclosure for a household pet. At least a first side and a second side of the plurality of substantially vertical sides can be configured to be disposed adjacent to two sides of a larger enclosure. At least a third side of the plurality of substantially vertical sides configured to be disposed away from the sides of the larger enclosure. The third side can have an aperture to allow access into the enclosure by a household pet. The enclosure can have at least one connecting device configured to attach the enclosure for the household pet to the larger enclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a poultry keeping facility comprising at least one nest box, a first colony surface having a perforated first floor area and a second colony surface having a second floor area for spreading litter. According to the invention, a perch facility having at least one perching rod is arranged at a height above the first or second floor area. The perching rod is movable relative to the first or second floor area, wherein the perching rod is movable from a first position to a second position in which the perch facility covers a smaller area of the first or second floor area than in the first position.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for making phenotypically female fertile animals from XY donor cells and suitable host embryos. Culture media and methods are provided for maintaining XY donor cells in culture that after introduction into a host embryo and gestation in a suitable host will result in fertile XY female animals. Methods and compositions are described for making fertile female animals in an F0 generation from a donor XY cell and a host embryo, as are methods for making F1 progeny that are homozygous for a modification from a heterozygous F0 fertile male and a heterozygous F0 fertile female sibling.