Abstract: An eco-friendly netting for growing and/or harvesting sod and/or plants is disclosed herein. The eco-friendly netting includes a plurality of fibers arranged in a woven configuration or a substantially non-woven configuration. Each of the plurality of fibers is formed from a substantially natural material, which may also be biodegradable. The eco-friendly netting may be preseeded. The eco-friendly netting may be treated or processed with anti-rot agents, degrading accelerators, nutrients, fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, algaecides, herbicides, water absorption/retention enhancers or any combination thereof. Methods of growing sod and harvesting sod, which utilize the eco-friendly netting, are also disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the eco-friendly netting may be treated or processed to increase or decrease its functional longevity.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for growing marijuana plants, particularly for regulated purposes, for example medical purposes or in some jurisdictions recreational purposes, have automated subsystems with sensors to provide feedback information about system, apparatus and plant growth parameters to one or more controllers so that the one or more controllers can alter one or more parameters to provide optimal conditions for the growing and harvesting of the marijuana plants. In particular aspects, the systems, apparatuses and methods provide for control of odors produced during the growing of marijuana, root management of the marijuana plants and control over important levels of chemicals provided to the plants, for example enzymes and flavor additives.

Abstract: A method of pollinating a plant includes receiving, with a processing circuit, plant data regarding a plant having flowers, and controlling, by the processing circuit, operation of an robotic device to selectively pollinate a portion of the plurality of flowers based on the plant data. The robotic device includes sensors configured to acquire plant data, a pollination device configured to pollinate flowers of a plant, a collection device configured to collect pollen, and a pollination prevention device configured prevent a flower from being pollinated.

Abstract: A fan coil apparatus for a closed greenhouse that recirculates are within the greenhouse includes a housing with an intake and an outtake further including a filter that filters recirculating air that enters the intake, cooling coils that cool the recirculating air and condense water therefrom, heating coils that heat the recirculating air, a sterilization system that kills and prevents the spread of airborne pathogens, and a fan that directs the recirculating air through the outtake outside the housing.

Abstract: A shock absorbing tether comprising an elongated flexible primary strand which is surrounded by a longitudinally elastic casing having terminal ends and which is attached to the primary strand at each of its terminal ends and at at least one point intermediate the terminal ends.

Abstract: An ice protection system for an aircraft may comprise an electric heater embedded within a composite aircraft component. In the event of malfunction of the embedded heater, a secondary heater may be attached to an interior surface of the composite aircraft component. The wiring may be detached from the embedded heater and attached to the secondary heater. The secondary heater may be used to provide ice protection to the composite aircraft component.

Abstract: An automated irrigation and/or fertigation apparatus, including a container, a plurality of pumps in the container, and a controller operably connected to each of the plurality of pumps is disclosed. Each of the pumps is configured to provide a unique fertilizer, nutrient and/or micronutrient to irrigation water. The controller is configured to control settings of each of the pumps to provide a predetermined amount of each unique fertilizer, nutrient and/or micronutrient to the irrigation water over a predetermined period of time. Corresponding methods of fertilizing a field and of making the automated irrigation and/or fertigation apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A motorized device capable of moving in a fluid and including one or more locomotor systems, each having at least one drive assembly linked to at least one locomotion member and a motor controlled by a voltage. The frequency of a reciprocating motion of the drive assembly matches the resonant frequency of the locomotion member linked to a non-movable portion by at least one prestrained elastic member. The instantaneous amplitude of the reciprocating motion of the drive assembly is adjusted to control the average position and the maximum amplitude of the reciprocating motion of the locomotion member. The drive assembly includes at least one speed reducer for reducing the speed of rotation of the motor. When the motor is operating at its maximum mechanical power, the speed of rotation transmitted to the at least one locomotion member is reduced to match the resonance frequency.

Abstract: A collar-mounted location sensor and stimulation unit includes a body. Quick-mount retention clips extend from the body superior and inferior lateral edges, bend in a 90 degree angle towards the center, and extend toward each other for a short distance before terminating. A flexible collar is pinched between the quick-mount clips, then released to expand within the space between retention clips and the ends of the body. A generally planar stimulation unit and impedance-based fur detector in combination protect the animal from harmful stimulation. At least one sensory stimulator is configured to provide at least one of auditory, kinesthetic, and visual stimulation responsive to an output of a location sensor. An electrode cover in a first disabling position electrically isolates the plurality of stimulation electrodes from animal, and in a second enabling position permits electrical engagement between the plurality of stimulation electrodes and a fur of the animal.

Abstract: Fabrics suitable for a wide variety of uses, including coverage of crops, crop planting sites, or both, are disclosed. The fabrics may comprise at least one spunbond layer comprising filaments including a filler. The at least one spunbond layer may comprise a basis weight of least about 12 grams-per-meter-squared and the at least one spunbond layer may comprise an average transmittance value within the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) across wavelengths 400 nm to 700 nm comprising about 37% or less. Methods of enhancing crop growth are also disclosed.

Abstract: A decorative tree stand that can include a support base and a tree support pivotally coupled to an upwardly facing surface of the support base is disclosed and described. The tree support can selectively pivot to allow the decorative tree to move from a display position to a storage position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for insulation and moisture drainage. One exemplary embodiment is a bay blanket configured to insulate an aircraft. The bay blanket includes insulation, and a first trough running along a length of a leftward face of the insulation and adapted to receive water draining from an outboard side of the insulation. The first trough includes sidewalls that meet at an inboard side of the insulation and extend from the inboard side to the outboard side. The bay blanket also includes a second trough running along a length of a rightward face of the insulation and adapted to receive water draining from the outboard side. The second trough includes sidewalls that meet at the inboard side and extend from the inboard side to the outboard side.

Abstract: An impact-activated illuminating leg wrap is configured to provide light on a moving animal. The impact-activated illuminating leg wrap includes a first layer joined to a second layer wherein the second layer further comprises a hook fastener. An upper strap is fixed to the loop fastener and attached to an upper strap loop fastener. The upper strap is adapted to be wrapped around a leg of an animal forming a rear leg wrap concave contour. An upper reflective strap is attached to the hook fastener and perforated with a series of upper reflective strap perforations. A series of upper reflective strap light emitting diodes is inserted through the series of upper reflective strap perforations and connected to the upper reflective strap. A first microcontroller is attached to the second layer with a first elastic strap.

Abstract: A teat preparation liner comprising an inlet for fluid flow into the liner, an opening, a liner cavity and a spray ring. The liner cavity is positioned adjacent to the opening inside the liner and surrounds a portion of the liner. The spray ring has a hollow interior and a plurality of apertures. The spray ring is coupled to the inlet so that fluid flows from the inlet into the hollow interior of the spray ring and out of the spray ring through the plurality of apertures. The spray ring is positioned inside the liner cavity so that the plurality of apertures face the inside of the liner opening. The spray ring is operable to encircle a dairy animal teat that is positioned inside the liner via the liner opening to simultaneously direct fluid flow from the inlet onto multiple portions of the teat via the apertures.

Abstract: The pet feeder includes a casing having an opening, a tray unit housed in the casing having a number of trays, a refrigerating unit inside the casing enclosing the tray unit so that all trays except one tray exposed by the opening are covered, a temperature control unit housed in the casing and connected to the refrigerating unit and the one tray exposed by the opening, and a driving unit connected to the temperature control unit and driving the tray unit to spin. Through the refrigerating unit and the temperature control unit, the trays are refrigerated whereas the one tray exposed is heated so that the pet may enjoy a warm meal. The driving unit automatically turns the tray unit so that one tray is exposed to feed the pet at scheduled times. The feeds remain fresh and the amount of feeds for each meal is also appropriately controlled.

Abstract: An animal control device having a stem with a gripping portion at one end and an electric prod head at the opposite end. Removably connected to the stem is a paddle body.

Abstract: A tree water bag that has a bag body, a tying assembly and a dispensing assembly. The bag body has a first side edge and a second side edge. The tying assembly is configured to couple the first side edge to the second side edge to define a hoop with the bag body. The dispensing assembly has at least one drip tube coupled to the bag body and extending therefrom. A drip emitting device is also disclosed having a nozzle with a main body and an inverted discharge portion positioned at the distal end of the main body.

Abstract: A combined flying-driving vehicle having a hybrid propulsion system architecture, foldable wings, and rotatable propulsion devices that is capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), fixed wing cruise, and legally operating one a roadway surface.

Abstract: A grafting method includes: making a cut surface of a scion and a cut surface of a rootstock contact with each other, and disposing sheet-like thermoplastic resin films facing each other across a contact part; and covering a periphery of the contact part with the thermoplastic resin films by ultrasonically welding the thermoplastic resin films.

Abstract: Plant collars which define slots extending from their peripheries toward the centers are provided. Their bodies define (smooth) surfaces which are substantially free of stress risers. Moreover, the opposing slot surfaces are spaced apart from one another and/or the slot termini are semi-circular.