Abstract: A device for efficiently irrigating a number of housing assemblies containing soil and plants. The housing assemblies are vertically mounted on a support structure. An irrigation system provides a flow of water to each of the housing assemblies. Each housing assembly includes an interior shell nested within an exterior shell. The irrigation system delivers the flow of water to two different heights of soil within the interior shell. A user may adjust how water is distributed within each housing assembly by manipulating one of several valves controlling the delivery of water from a main artery to each housing assembly. Water may be selectively and adjustably delivered to a plant containing a shallow root system, or to a different variety plant containing an extended or deep root system as needed. Excess water may be drained from the interior shell and held within a cavity for reabsorption by the soil contained therein.

Abstract: An interactive cat toy having a passageway holding an object of prey movable in response to a motor between a recessed position within the housing and an extended position outwardly of the housing; and a switch for selectively directing an electric current to flow to the motor, the movement of the object of prey, attracting the attention of a cat, provides physical and mental exercise and activity for the cat. A method is disclosed for moving the object of prey within the passage between the recessed position in the housing and the extended position outwardly of the housing for entertaining and exercise of the cat.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic apparatus having a height-adjustable table for animals according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a table where an animal is placed; a support stand supporting the table such that the table vertically moves and adjusting height of the table to move the table close to a floor; an X-ray detector disposed under the table and coupled to the support stand to move with the table; and an imaging stand spaced from the table, connected to the support stand, and having an X-ray tube for radiating X-rays to the X-ray detector.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a flow of milk includes a first and a second refrigeration system; a first and a second intermediate coolant circulating system; and a line manifold interconnectable between the first and second intermediate coolant circulating systems, wherein coolant in the first intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the first refrigeration system in a first heat exchange section and coolant in the second intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the second refrigeration system in a second heat exchange section. The cooling system is reconfigurable between first operation configuration providing two-stage cooling of the flow of milk and a second operation configuration providing one-stage cooling of the flow of milk.

Abstract: A bolster crate pad has a central pad that is rectangular with a pair of long ends and a pair of short ends. The central pad has a fabric cover and a filling. An inner bolster pad extends around a periphery of the central pad. An outer bolster pad is connected along a short end of the inner bolster pad. In one case, a second outer bolster pad is connected to a second short end of the inner bolster pad. In another case, the inner bolster pad has a number of trapezoidal subpads. The trapezoidal subpads can be isosceles trapezoids and they are connected together at their tops. The bolster crate pad may have two other outer bolster pads. This arrangement allows the bolster crate pad to fit a wide variety of crates without bunching in the corners.

Abstract: A pet fountain comprises an upper bowl, a base including a lower bowl. The upper bowl can be secured to the base so that it is elevated above the level of the base. The lower bowl is sufficiently large to accommodate the upper bowl when the upper bowl is not secured to the base. The internal space of the lower bowl has at least one span that is slightly greater than the longest measurement across the upper bowl.

Abstract: Pylon mounting assemblies are provided for mounting an engine (e.g., a turbojet engine) to a wing of an aircraft. The pylon mounting assemblies include an upper pylon connection member, and a lower pylon connection box, wherein the upper pylon connection member and the lower pylon connection box respectively include multiple opposed pairs of connection lobes. At least one pair of the connection lobes includes a pin connection to restrict degrees of freedom thereat along an x-axis and a mutually perpendicular z-axis, while at least one other pair of connection lobes includes a connection rod to restrict degrees of freedom thereat along the z-axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tank having a body of water, the tank having a submerged plant material zone having plant material submerged within the body of water. The apparatus also includes an irrigated plant material platform, including additional plant material which is separated from the submerged plant material. The apparatus further includes an animal raising zone in fluid communication with at least a portion of the body of water, the animal raising zone separated from the submerged plant material zone by a porous filter. The apparatus includes a tank influent stream for passing water through the plant material zone and subsequently through the animal raising zone. The system includes a recycle loop having a pump disposed within the animal raising zone for pumping a waste product from the animal raising zone to the irrigated plant material platform. The animal raising zone may be a fish raising zone.

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: This invention relates to a feed system for delivering liquid feed to animals. The system includes a feed apparatus having at least one liquid feed source, and at least one at least common supply line connected to the liquid feed source. A plurality of animal feeding stalls are connected to the at least one common supply line along its length.

Abstract: The pet grooming enclosure resembles an animal carrier that includes a plurality of suction nozzles located within an interior of the animal carrier. The plurality of suction nozzles collectively connects to a manifold that is connected to a vacuum and motor. The plurality of suction nozzles is adapted to draw out moisture and loose hair or fur from within the animal carrier, but without actually coming into contact with an animal positioned within the animal carrier. The animal carrier includes a sliding tray that is presented along the bottom of the animal carrier. In use, the sliding tray is positioned inside of the animal carrier such that an animal is adaptively positioned on the sliding tray. The sliding tray is adapted to collect water and debris from within the animal carrier, and subsequently slide out of the animal carrier in order to discard the water and debris.

Abstract: A slow feeder includes a container for, in use, containing food for an animal. The container has a side wall through which a slot (26) is defined; and a feeding restrictor (6). The feeding restrictor (6) comprises a food-covering element through which at least one opening is defined for, in use, resting on top of the food such that the animal can access the food through the opening; a locating element which extends from the food-covering element through the slot; and a retaining element (34) extending from the locating element and movably engageable with an outer portion of the container. The engagement of the retaining element (34) with the outer portion of the container retains the restrictor (6) in the container.

Abstract: A dual-pet leash to secure a pair of dogs includes a hub body having a first internal channel with an inlet connected to a pair of outlets and a second internal channel, a first cord coupled to a guide fastener and oriented such that a pair of ends of the first cord extend through the inlet and out the pair of outlets of the first internal channel, a second cord disposed within the second internal channel and oriented such that a pair of ends of the second cord extend out the hub body, a first securement fastener coupled to the first end of the first cord, first end of the second cord and the first dog, and a second securement fastener coupled to the second end of the first cord, second end of the second cord and the second dog. The user maneuvers the guide fastener to control the dogs.

Abstract: An aircraft (40). The aircraft comprises a plurality of propellers (46) mounted to wings (44). Each propeller comprises at least one blade (72, 74) coupled to a respective propeller cyclic actuator (78) configured to cyclically alter the pitch of the respective blade (72, 74) as the propeller rotates. The aircraft (40) is configured such that provision of cyclic pitch to the propeller (46) twists at least a portion of the wing (44) about a span of the wing (46) relative to the fuselage (42), to thereby adjust the local angle of incidence of the wing (46).

Abstract: The present invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle, including: a fuselage; a battery accommodation cavity, disposed on the fuselage; a battery pack, including at least two battery blocks and mounted inside the battery accommodation cavity; a battery circuit board, electrically connected to the battery blocks in the battery pack; and a functional module, electrically connected to the battery circuit board, the battery blocks in the battery pack supplying power to the functional module via the battery circuit board at the same time. By using the solution of the present invention, endurance of the unmanned aerial vehicle is increased.

Abstract: A trellis component includes a tubular portion, a connector adapted to be inserted within an upper end of the tubular portion, at least two support arms, and a crop line, which are arranged such that the connector is within the upper end of the tubular portion, the arms are within and extend outwardly from the connector, and the crop line is supported by the arms in an elevated disposition to in turn support a crop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of cultivating Cordyceps, specifically, provided herein is a system of cultivating Cordyceps comprising: a Hepialus moth trapping device; a Hepialus moth eggs screening device, wherein the device is connected with the Hepialus moth trapping device; an ascospores-collecting device; a mycelia-preparing device; a conidia-preparing device; an infection device, wherein the device is connected with the ascospores-collecting device, the mycelia-preparing device and the conidia-preparing device; and a feeding device, wherein the device is connected with the Hepialus moth eggs screening device and the infection device. And also provided is a method of using the system to cultivate Cordyceps.

Abstract: An impermeable sectional apparatus for soil moisture retention has a frustoconical member separable along a medial longitudinal axis into a first section and a second section for connection around a plant to inhibit evaporation from the soil matrix. Securement of the first and second sections together is effective by mating engagement between each of a first male edge with a second female edge and a first female edge with a second male edge. A plurality of rectilinear insert sections is fittable in between each of the first and second sections engaged by edgewise interconnection therebetween, whereby the frustoconical member may be elongated to cover more ground surface. Additionally, a polychromic material is included devised to signal a color change to a user in response to an environmental stimulus.

Abstract: A height-adjustable plant support structure is a device used for providing structural support for a growing plant. The device includes a primary stabilizing tubular member and a plurality of primary extendable tubular members that is able to telescopically extend from and retract into the primary stabilizing tubular member. A plurality of accessory-mounting holes laterally traverses into the plurality of primary extendable tubular members and may accommodate hooks, ties, strings, and other accessories for supporting the growth of a plant. A flexible water-distribution conduit is positioned within the plurality of primary extendable tubular members, allowing water to be delivered directly to a plant's roots. The device height may be adjusted manually or automatically via a pneumatic telescopic cylinder. At least one flexible trellis member is utilized to support growing plants such as shrubs, grapevine, ivy, and climbing roses.

Abstract: A machine for cutting the tips of the leaves off agave plants to prepare the plants for the subsequent removal of the core. The machine includes a chassis defining a platform having: a rear end having a structural frame supporting arms that project rearwards, wheel rims that rest on the ground being secured to said arms; a front end having a structural frame having arms extending frontwards, a tractor-coupled drawbar being secured to said arms; and an arm that connects to the power take-off and is secured in the upper part of the structural frame. The machine includes a supporting base which can slide under the action of hydraulic elements, and is mounted on a pair of parallel rails and is arranged transversely across the platform. Additionally, the machine includes a hydraulic system with control inputs, actuated by the operator.