Abstract: The present invention entails a combination surfboard-kneeboard. The multi-purpose aquatic board of the present invention is provided with detachable fins, ankle strap, and knee strap in order that the same can be utilized for either surfing or kneeboarding. Further, the board is elongated and includes a lower base portion and a raised upper deck having a cavity formed therein. A resilient pad, such as a neoprene pad, is secured within said cavity to form a resilient upper deck about a substantial portion of the board.

Abstract: This invention is a vending system for floral type products and includes a plurality of product containing cubicles with an access door operatively associated with each. A controllable locking structure is used with each door and is connected to a validator for accepting and totaling money. Selectors are provided for choosing the appropriate cubicle door to be opened and these selectors are resettable to a different amount of money by simply resetting a dial on the exterior backside of the panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a farm structure that may be utilized as either a curing and drying facility or as a plant growth facility. By making minor alterations the structure may be readily converted from a curing and drying facility to a greenhouse type plant growth facility, or vice versa. Thus, the structure becomes a multi-purpose farm structure that may be continuously and substantially utilized.Moreover, the present invention relates to a method and structure for utilizing available solar radiation in curing and drying tobacco. Generally, the tobacco curing and drying structure comprises an enclosure adapted to support bulk tobacco therein. A combination air blower and heating system is disposed in said curing and drying structure and operative to force air through the bulk tobacco therein, the heating system being capable of heating the forced air as necessary to maintain desired environmental conditions within said curing and drying structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic seed singulating and dispensing apparatus adapted to singulate and dispense seeds from a hopper into a growing medium such as a series of soil pots or cubes. The seed singulating and dispensing apparatus comprises a frame structure having a hopper disposed about the upper portion thereof and including a series of three plates associated therewith. Disposed within the hopper is a seed buffer structure that lies just above an upper seed singulating plate. During operation the seed singulating plate moves relative to the seed buffer structure and the seeds within the hopper are moderately agitated and tend to assure that vacant seed openings within said seed singulating plate are filled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a greenhouse curing and drying structure adapted to collect energy associated with available solar radiation and to utilize the heat associated therewith in curing and drying material within said greenhouse curing and drying structure. Basically the curing and drying structure comprises an outer transparent housing and an interiorly disposed solar energy collector housing defining a drying area or chamber thereunder. During phases of curing and drying material in the drying area or drying chamber, an outside air system is directed between said outer transparent housing and said collector housing where solar energy in the form of heat collected is transferred to the passing air system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tobacco harvester having an automatic leaf spreader associated therewith for uniformly spreading defoliated tobacco leaves into an opened top leaf receiving structure such as a trailer, container, or box-type rack such that the leaf receiving structure is generally uniformly filled throughout from bottom to top by the spreader during the harvesting operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of harvesting tobacco and system for bulk handling whole leaf flue cured tobacco between field harvesting and curing and drying operations. In the method of harvesting tobacco, tobacco leaves are defoliated from tobacco stalks and conveyed therefrom to an area of discharge where the leaves are discharged and directed in random alignment into an open top bulk tobacco support unit such that the randomly aligned leaves are generally uniformly distributed within a bulk support unit and the tobacco leaves are generally disposed in horizontal planes with the individual leaves being disposed in overlying relationship. After the bulk support unit has been filled to a predetermined level, a plurality of elongated members are inserted through the bulk support unit in directions generally perpendicularly to the planes of the tobacco leaves. Thereafter, the filled bulk support unit is rotated approximately 90.degree.