Abstract: The present invention discloses a strip soil loosening and crushing mechanism of a no-tillage planting machine. The machine has a connecting bracket, a star-shaped cutter head assembly, and a soil crushing wheel assembly. The star-shaped cutter head assembly has two star-shaped cutter heads with the same structure, which are symmetrically arranged at outer sides of the two supporting plates by star-shaped cutter head fixing shafts. The soil crushing wheel assembly has a spring combined structure, a soil crushing wheel combined structure and two crank brackets rotatably connected at the outer sides of the two supporting plates of the connecting bracket by a connecting shaft.

Abstract: A pull-type crop engaging machine such as a rotary mower comprises a frame mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for movement with a hitch arm extending to a tractor and a transport assembly attached behind the frame for moving downwardly to a transport position so that in the transport position the hitch arm extends from one end of the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction. The transport includes a transport ground wheel which acts to raise the frame to pass underneath the crop engaging system to support the machine on the wheel, on a second wheel behind the frame and on the hitch. The movement of the hitch and the wheel is connected and started at a position of the hitch so that the machine remains balanced. A shield behind the frame includes a portion which moves with the transport wheel.

Abstract: The press wheel has instrumentation associated therewith detecting a rolling of the wheel over a planted set. The press wheel also has a computing device connected to the instrumentation and to the speed monitoring device of the planter. The computing device determines spacings between planted sets. The data obtained is real-time data and is readily available to the operator of the planter so that the speed of the planter can be adjusted on the fly to maintain an ideal set spacing.

Abstract: A mulch kit control lever with a detent plate attached to the top surface of a mower deck, and a vertically oriented pivot pin extending through the detent plate and through the mower deck and engaging a mulch gate. A pivoting handle connected to the pivot pin moves the mulch gate between a side discharge position and a mulching position. A detent pin on the handle abuts a first stop on the detent plate in the side discharge position and a second stop on the detent plate in the mulching position.

Abstract: A system for pivoting a discharge chute of a mower includes a cable attached at one end to a coupling at the top surface of a chute near the free end of the chute, trained on a pulley at a height above the height of the top surface of the chute, and attached at the other end to a handle. An operator can easily reach the handle and move it to a retainer, which releasably holds the handle. When the handle is in the retainer, the chute is forced to pivot to a raised (i.e., upright) position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting blade (110, 500, 600, 700) for a robotic mower (100). The cutting blade includes a first end section (302) and a second end section (304), and two lateral sections (306, 308, 502, 602, 604, 702, 704) extending between the first and second end sections. Further, at least one of the two lateral sections includes at least one cutting portion (310A, 310B, 612, 712A, 712B) configured to cut vegetation and at least one protective portion (312A, 312B, 614, 714A, 714B) configured to protect the at least one cutting portion.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a grain tank carried by the chassis. The grain tank includes a frame having an opening formed therethrough; a pair of tank cover sections movably associated with the frame such that the tank cover sections can switch between an open position and a covering position relative to the opening of the frame; and at least one actuator linked to at least one of the tank cover sections and configured to selectively provide a switching force. The agricultural harvester further includes a force assistor or a brake linked to one of the pair of tank cover sections and configured to apply an assist force or a braking force, respectively, to one of the pair of tank cover sections but not the other of the pair of tank cover sections.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a control system for a land machine, the control system comprising: a position indication component configured to generate position information that indicates a current geographic position of the machine; and a control unit configured to: receive the position information from the position indication component; and change a control state of the machine by either disabling, or enabling engagement of, an automatic steering function of the machine depending on the position information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a combine harvester feeder house assembly, comprising: a feeder house comprising an inlet end; a tilt frame surrounding the inlet end and in pivotal arrangement relative to the feeder house; a gearbox attached to the tilt frame; and a first dog clutch operably coupled to the gearbox.

Abstract: The invention relates to a header with a belt tensioner that accommodates the flexing and twisting of the conveyor belts and generates a constant tension evenly distributed across the width of the conveyor belts.

Abstract: Apparatuses for and methods of moving the ends of windrows inward are disclosed. The apparatuses of the present invention include a front end, a rear end and two opposing sides, the front end configured to be wider than the rear end, two skids attached to the two opposing sides, a gate rotatably attached to the rear end and configured to cover an opening in the rear end, a gate cylinder operably attached to the gate and configured to close the gate to collect fruit and/or nuts within the apparatus, and open the gate to distribute the fruit and/or nuts outside of the apparatus, thus eliminating the need to hand rake the ends of the windrows inward or to blow the ends of the windrow inward with a hand blower.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a header with an infeed assembly including a driving element configured to rotate; a cylinder rotationally coupled to the driving element and having a plurality of openings formed therein; and a paddle assembly eccentrically positioned and rotationally held within the cylinder. Each paddle assembly includes a plurality of paddles variably positioned through the openings in the cylinder. Each paddle includes a laterally slidable wing that withdraws into the cylinder when the paddle retracts into the cylinder, and slides outwardly as the paddle extends form the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to harvesting platforms that are carried on the front end of an agricultural combine. The harvesting platform includes lateral crop dividers for agricultural harvesting headers with a flexible cutterbar.

Abstract: A windrow merger includes heads having cams that control the speed of the tines. The cam is configured with a section that slows the speed of the tines while passing a lower front portion of the path of rotation to lift material from the ground at lower speeds and therefore handles the material more gently at the point of pickup. The cam is configured to accelerate the tines at the point where the lifted material is propelled rearward from the pickup assembly. The merger heads also include a widened conveyor that is configured with an upper surface extending rearward and slightly downward to further evenly distribute material across the width of the conveyor. The heads are supported on skids that have a linkage connecting the skids at each end of the head with one of the skids having a mechanism that acts as a master to control the slave of the linked opposite skid.

Abstract: A crop cart unloading system for efficiently unloading a harvested crop from a crop cart. The crop cart unloading system generally includes a hopper having a floor conveyor movably positioned with respect to a lower floor, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the lower floor, an unloading door movably connected to an unloading end of the hopper, and an upper opening defined by an upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls for receiving a field crop. The hopper is pivotally connected to a support frame having a plurality of wheels. A first actuator is connected between the support frame and the hopper to lift the unloading end of the hopper. An unloading conveyor is attached to the unloading end of the hopper to receive and discharge a field crop from the hopper.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to a crop feeding system in a harvester comprising a electrohydraulic circuit comprising electric and hydraulic connections that allow for the movement of a bottom floor assembly, such movement defining the depth of a crop feeding channel in the harvester and allowing at least one variable setting for removing a clog of material in a crop collection channel.

Abstract: A device for spraying bulk or piecemeal products includes a casing with a rotary spraying organ and a lateral ejection opening prolonged by a spout. The rotary organ includes radial vanes designed to form a material jet directed along the axis of the spout, with generation of a carrier air stream. The ejection opening is provided with a bounding rim disposed on that side of the opening which is last to be reached by the outer peripheral ends of the vanes in the course of their rotation during operational functioning of the device. The spraying device also includes an active and mobile organ, designed for directing the products that come into contact with it through the opening, into the spout and substantially into the jet of ejected material. The active and mobile organ is disposed in the region of the rim.

Abstract: A shredder-aspirator integrated device is described comprising shredding means suitable to shred organic gardening material, characterised in that it comprises: an aspirating mouth suitable to aspirate organic gardening material; a fan rotatable about an axis, which is operable to generate an air flow suitable to convey organic gardening material via an aspirating mouth toward shredding means; and a drive connectable to a motor; the shredding means and said fan are operatively connected to the drive.

Abstract: A reciprocating working machine has a lower blade and an upper blade overlapping each other. The lower and upper blades have respective elongated apertures slidably fit around lower and upper eccentric cams, respectively, The lower and upper eccentric cams are arranged at a 180-degree phase from each other. One of the upper eccentric cam and the lower blade has a beveled surface facing the other. The lower blade and the upper eccentric cam are relatively moved away from each other via the beveled surface.

Abstract: A trunk injection needle includes: a front part which is conical, a middle part which is cylindrical, and a rear part which is cylindrical, which are respectively provided along a needle axis; wherein an outer diameter of the rear part is larger than outer diameters of the front part and the middle part; the front part has a bits guiding hole extending along the needle axis, and the rear part has a drug feeding hole extending along the needle axis; wherein the middle part has two outlet holes extending along a radical direction, and a separating board is provided between the two outlet holes; a rear end of the bits guiding hole communicates with the two outlet holes at two sides of the separating board; and a front end of the drug feeding hole communicates with the two outlet holes.

Abstract: The invention includes a pot-tray securing member configured to fixedly retain a horticultural pot within a tray, and methods of securing a pot within a tray using the pot-tray member. In particular embodiments, the pot-tray securing member includes a pot-engaging portion configured to engage the pot arranged within the tray on a side of the pot opposite the tray. In such embodiments, the pot-tray securing member also includes a tray-anchoring portion configured to fix the securing member to the tray, the tray configured to receive and store the pot, where the tray-anchoring portion is operably connected to the pot-engaging portion of the securing member.

Abstract: A rotary plant growing apparatus is disclosed having a light emitting source operable to emit light. The apparatus also has at least one retaining component and a support operable to support the at least one retaining component in spaced relation to the light emitting source. A rotation mechanism is operable to rotate the at least one retaining component in a path around the light emitting source. A position adjustment mechanism is operable to move the at least one retaining component along a path extending between the at least one retaining component and the light emitting source so to adjust the distance between the at least one retaining component and the light emitting source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems and methods for improving efficiency and yield in plant grow operations including improvements in LED grow lighting fixtures, components and systems, and their applications to plant grow operations. Improvements for directional control and efficiency in lighting and methods and systems used in plant grow applications and operations including temperature regulation and control, soil and grow media regulation and vertical farming are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed includes a method for remote management of one or more cultivation conditions for a plant is provided. The method is performed by a computer processor and comprises: acquiring, from a database, a set of cultivation curves of a plant in a pot; acquiring, from one or more sensors associated with the pot, a set of environment parameters associated with a location of the pot; adjusting the set of cultivation curves of the plant based on the set of environment parameters; adjusting a set of cultivation conditions for the plant based on the set of adjusted cultivation curves; determining one or more settings for one or more electronic appliances based on the cultivation conditions; and transmitting one or more instructions related to the one or more settings to the one or more electronic appliances.

Abstract: A hydroponic cultivation apparatus is provided with a partitioning member including a swelling member in which a first through hole is formed and having a first main surface and a second main surface which are directed to opposite sides to each other. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus also has a mounting surface provided at a position opposing to the first main surface in a first space enclosed by a plurality of surfaces including the first main surface. An underground part is arranged in the first space, and a stem part is inserted into the first through hole.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatuses, methods, and systems for cultivating a microcrop involving a floating coupling device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments to apparatuses and methods for cultivating Lemna for extracting proteins and/or carbohydrate rich products. In some embodiments, a bioreactor system for culturing a microcrop may comprise: a bioreactor container configured to contain the aquatic species in sufficient growth medium to permit normal growth of the microcrop, at least one coupling device comprising a star, and a propulsion mechanism configured to apply sufficient force to the at least one coupling device to cause motion thereof.

Abstract: Methods for preserving viability of plant tissues such as plant embryos are provided herein. Also included are methods for storing genomic DNA and/or molecular marker assay materials in an oil bilayer as part of a high-throughput molecular characterization system. Moreover, plant embryos may be treated while in an oil matrix. The treatment may include chromosome doubling, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, or herbicide selection as part of an embryo rescue process.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 15R549. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 15R549. Also provided by the invention are methods of using cotton variety 15R549 and products derived therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 15R549 with itself or another cotton variety and plants and seeds produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 15R508. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 15R508. Also provided by the invention are methods of using cotton variety 15R508 and products derived therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 15R508 with itself or another cotton variety and plants and seeds produced by such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seed designated 24-223 RZ, whereby a plant grown from such seed may exhibit long length plant internodes, long to very long fruit length, medium degree of fruit creasing, dark intensity of ground color of fruit skin at market stage, and CGMMV resistance. The present invention also relates to a cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plant produced by growing the 24-223 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the cucumber (Cucumis sativus) cultivar, represented by cucumber (Cucumis sativus) variety 24-223 RZ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 81-64 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bl:1 to Bl:28, Bl:30-Bl:32 and Ca-I to Ca-VIII, resistance to currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) and resistance to corky root (Sphingomonas suberifaciens) race CA1, as well as having non-flabellate leaves. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 81-64 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 81-64 RZ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plants producing, as their major cannabinoid cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) or its neutral (decarboxylated) form cannabichromene (CBC), hereafter jointly referred to as CBC(A). It additionally relates to; a botanical material obtainable from said plants; a botanical raw material (BRM), an extract including a botanical drug substance (BDS) and a purified BDS; a formulation comprising the BRM, BDS, purified BDS or other extract; the use of the BRM, BDS, purified BDS or other extract in the manufacture of a medicament; a method of deriving plants yielding a high proportion of the in cannabinoid CBC(A) at the expense of other cannabinoids; a method of cultivating plants such that they yield a high proportion of the cannabinoid CBC(A) at the expense of other cannabinoids; and a method of extracting CBC(A) from said plants.

Abstract: A robotic attacher retrieves a preparation cup from an equipment area of a milking box located behind a dairy livestock. The robotic attacher attaches and detaches the preparation cup to the teats of the dairy livestock in sequence. The sequence comprises attaching and detaching the preparation cup to the right front teat, the left front teat, the left rear teat, and the right rear teat.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed to a hand-held applicator (126) for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. The hand-held applicator comprises: a first housing having housing section (209) including a first end through which a disinfectant delivery line (140) extends or an electrical line (198) extends; and second housing (205) coupled to the housing section and having a sealed gear chamber (216) for supporting gears (186A, 186B and 186C) and bearings. The second housing comprises a first portion (213) and a second portion (215) configured to be removably affixed in abutting contact to the first portion. The second housing has an external delivery port (579) centered between a pair of side-by-side gears. The applicator comprises a switch (232) positioned on the underside of the housing section. The second portion may include a motor mount (680) for coupling a motor (238) in the housing section.

Abstract: A wall mounted structure for cats includes a vertically disposed back surface attached directly to a vertical wall and/or a stud or a plurality of studs or attached to the vertical wall and/or the stud or the plurality of studs with a mounting bracket. A horizontally disposed floor forwardly extends from the back surface, wherein the floor is disposed perpendicular to the back surface. At least one horizontally disposed landing pad forwardly extends from the back surface, wherein the at least one landing pad is disposed perpendicular to the back surface, and wherein the at least one landing pad is disposed adjacent to and at a height above the floor. A front surface is attached to the floor and the at least one landing pad.

Abstract: A lifting-type pet feeding vessel includes a hollow cylinder, wherein a lifting tray is provided inside the hollow cylinder, wherein an outer wall of the hollow cylinder is provided with a longitudinal clamping groove, wherein the longitudinal clamping groove is provided with a plurality of clamping positions; and a lifting sliding pole that is configured to slide and fit with the longitudinal clamping groove, wherein clamping hooks on the lifting sliding pole are configured to clamp and fix in different clamping positions to drive the lifting tray up and down to regulate a height of the lifting tray, thereby regulating a height of the pet feeding vessel on the lifting tray.

Abstract: An animal feeding vehicle includes a movement control system, a GPS receiver for generating a first set of parameters including location information, a proximity sensor for generating a second set of parameters including spatial information, a position sensor for generating a third set of parameters including motion information, a feeding system including a feeding control system for feeding animals based on a fourth set of parameters. A control unit receives the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters, and defines a first mode in which the user controls the movement control system and the feeding control system, and in which the control unit records data representing the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters; and a second mode in which the control unit controls the movement control system and the feeding system by comparing recorded data with the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters.

Abstract: A device is provided to aid prevention and treatment of ear infections in animals. In an embodiment, the device comprises a first strip and second strip of material such as elastomeric fabric. Each strip defines first and second holes corresponding to an animal's ears. Each ear may be received by one of the holes defined by the first strip. Then, the ears may be folded over the first strip to expose the animal's outer ear canal. Finally, the second strip may be placed over the folded ears and secured to the first strip to maintain the ears between the first and second strips. Thus, in practice, the device fixedly exposes the outer ear canals to air flow to prevent the growth of bacteria and yeast and further aids cleaning and medicinal applications.

Abstract: An orbit-type cat toy with a sensing function includes a chassis with a circular orbit (track) and a small toy capable of rolling along the circular orbit. A plurality of sensing devices are evenly distributed along the circumference of the chassis, and an inside of the chassis is provided with a signal sending module configured to send a signal after a sensing device is triggered. The bottom of the small toy is provided with a roller wheel, and the inside of the small toy is provided with a motor to drive the roller wheel to rotate. The small toy further includes a signal receiving module, a calculation module, a comparison module, and a control module to control the motor to rotate.

Abstract: A multifunctional cat condo has a three-layered structure, wherein both the bottom layer and the second layer comprise resting houses, and the top layer comprises a resting ledge, wherein the two resting houses and the resting ledge are connected through a plurality of vertical posts and are suspended on a bottom board, wherein climbing boards are connected between the resting house in the bottom layer and the ground as well as between the two resting houses; and an inside of the resting house is provided with a wireless camera that can communicate with an external control terminal and is configured to send activity situations of the cat in the resting house to the control terminal; an inside of the vertical post is provided with a music sounder; and a bottom end of one of the plurality of vertical posts is provided with a pressure sensor.

Abstract: A configuration-variable remote-controlled pet toy includes a movable base, an animal model detachably installed on the base, and an external control terminal, wherein the bottom of the base is provided with a roller wheel, the inside of the base is provided with a motor, a control circuit, a micro control unit, a wireless communication module and a phonation device; the motor is configured to drive the roller wheel to roll, the control circuit controls the rotation of the motor according to a control signal sent by the micro control unit, the wireless communication module is communicated with the external control terminal, and the phonation device is configured to play the sound or sound record of a master received by the wireless communication module in real time.

Abstract: A configuration-variable remote-controlled pet toy includes a movable base, an animal model detachably installed on the base, and an external control terminal, wherein the bottom of the base is provided with a roller wheel, the inside of the base is provided with a motor, a control circuit, a micro control unit, a wireless communication module and a phonation device; the motor is configured to drive the roller wheel to roll, the control circuit controls the rotation of the motor according to a control signal sent by the micro control unit, the wireless communication module is communicated with the external control terminal, and the phonation device is configured to play the sound or sound record of a master received by the wireless communication module in real time.

Abstract: An adjustable muzzle for use on an animal. The muzzle includes a muzzle body having a flexible webbing with two strap channels for a semi-flexible strap. The strap is threaded within the channels and forms an adjustable loop that extends from the muzzle body to secure the snout of the animal, which allows the muzzle body to conform and tighten around the snout. Strap ends extend from the rear of the muzzle body, each end having an adjustable buckle. When the buckles are connected together, the strap forms an adjustable rear collar loop around the neck of the animal. The strap is rigid enough to allow the handler to place the muzzle on the animal by merely holding the straps, but flexible enough to slidably engage with the buckles to adjust the effective length of the strap around the animal's neck and snout.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer code products for monitoring the behavior, health, and/or characteristics of an animal are disclosed herein. In one implementation, the animal is positioned inside a waste container placed on a system that is adapted to determine, record and communicate over a network various animal health parameters These parameters can be processed to determine trends, statistics and changes of animal physiological functions. The results can be used to access animal health conditions and issue warnings alarms, messages, and other notifications to designated caretakers. These notifications may be displayed using various means such as computers and/or mobile devices. Data retrieval and review capability can provide improved understanding of an animal's health conditions arid facilitate early illness detection.

Abstract: Through the years handling/transporting framed honey bee combs has been for the most part leaving them in the hive box that was taken off the main colony. This method is used by commercial beekeepers that hive hundreds maybe thousands of colonies. Their object is to produce large quantities of bulk honey for mass distribution. The vast majority of beekeepers around the world are backyard hobbyist that maintain a small number of colonies. This invention is targeted for that group. This invention would benefit beekeeping hobbist to maintain a uniform organized safe and clean method of storing honey frames throughout their beekeeping operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-human animal model for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-induced heptocellular carcinoma, methods of screening for agents for treating heptocellular carcinoma, methods of screening for targets useful in suppressing NASH progression to heptocellular carcinoma, methods of treating heptocellular carcinoma, and compositions for treating the same.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and non-human animals and parts thereof are disclosed for improving germ line transmission of genetic modifications. More particular, the present invention discloses methods and compositions for producing non-human embryos with a disrupted or disruptable fertility gene, which can be used as hosts for the development of donor pluripotent cells, including genetically modified donor pluripotent cells, into germ cells and gametes. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for producing from such embryos chimeric non-human animals with a disrupted fertility gene and for breeding the chimeric non-human animals with cognate non-human animals that comprise a fertility gene that lacks a disruption to produce non-human animals having substantially all gametes and/or germ cells derived from the donor pluripotent cells. The present invention also discloses non-human gametes, germ cells, embryos and animals for use in the subject methods.

Abstract: A field reconfigurable fishing lure having an adjustable buoyancy mechanism, an adjustable tail mechanism and modular accessory rail system.

Abstract: A fishing line dispenser, the fishing line being wound about a spool having circular walls, and a bore, the dispenser including a base; a “” bracket including a column having front and rear ends, a cylindrical arm having a proximal end rigidly attached to the column's rear end, and having a spindle arm having a proximal end rigidly attached to the column's front end, the spindle arm being fitted for extension into the spool's bore; a pivot joint interconnecting the “” bracket and the base, the pivot joint having first and second halves, first half being positioned at the base's rear end, and the second half including the “” bracket's cylindrical arm; and a concavity positioned within the base for, upon the spindle arm's oppositely lateral extension into the spool's bore and upon downward pivoting of the “” bracket, receiving and frictionally engaging the spool's circular walls.

Abstract: A fixed bar luring dredge comprising a high-strength core member tubular in form and assembled to hold a plurality of spreader bars extending through and attached to the core member in a fixed radial pattern with each spreader bar being disposed in a separate and distinct plane to enhance the strength and support of the spreader bar members in trolling. Each spreader bar is sized to pass transversely through a pair of opposed openings in the wall of the tubular core member and is secured therein with a respective crimp sleeve at each opening Separate swivel fittings with rotatable sections formed to fit longitudinally within of the core member are positioned partially inside the chamber of the core member at opposite ends thereof, each of the swivel fittings having a respective transverse opening formed therein that serves to engage one of the spreader bars passing through the core member and thereby hold the respective swivel fitting in place.