Abstract: A Christmas tree stand for artificial trees comprising a base, a hollow tubular member, a plurality of locking-folding mechanisms, and a plurality of movable elongated leg members. A method of using the Christmas tree stand comprises positioning the Christmas tree stand on a floor or surface and positioning and securing an artificial Christmas tree in the Christmas tree stand for displaying and viewing the tree.

Abstract: A device (10) for dropping fragile products (5) comprising:—a storage means (4) for storing said products, comprising a discharge means (4a) for discharging said products, —a means for distributing the fragile products comprising at least one cavity (1a, 1b) provided in the surface of a support (2), the support being capable of assuming at least two positions, a first position in which the at least one cavity is located opposite and at a distance from said discharge means and can be filled with fragile products, and a second position in which said cavity is spaced apart from said discharge means and can be emptied, said device further comprising a flexible means (3) for bringing the discharge means with the at least one cavity into communication in order to fill said cavity with fragile products.

Abstract: In one embodiment of an arbor stake stabilization member, a body includes an annular ring of a biodegradable material having an axial passageway therethrough. A locking member is coupled to the annular ring and extends radially inward into the axial passageway. A plate of a biodegradable material extends circumferentially outwardly from the annular ring. The perforated plate includes multiple openings. In use, the arbor stake stabilization member may be placed underground and on or above a rootball of a tree. The locking member is sized to accept an arbor stake therethrough in an interference fit. The arbor stake may extend from the top of the rootball through the rootball and into the undisturbed soil at a point below the rootball. Over time, the arbor stake stabilization member biodegrades.

Abstract: Method of providing insects for sorting into classes or for quality control of sorted insects comprises providing the insects in a container having a closable opening, opening the closable opening, releasing the insects through the closable opening onto a funneled air flow, the air flow carrying the insects to a collection location, the collection location being conveyable, and applying immobilizing agent to the insects on the collection location, thereby to provide stationary insects for said sorting or quality control.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A grow module is provided for receiving pods within apertures of the grow module, which includes locking tabs configured for slidably engaging with slots, which are defined in each pod. The grow module and the pods have complementary tapered interfaces that form a seal when the locking tabs are slidably engaged with the slots.

Abstract: A continuous feeding device for predatory mites, including a feeding part and an isolation part to solve problems existing in the prior art of accurately controlling a feeding quantity of predatory mites, and reducing a number of the feeding devices required for feeding predatory mites, thereby reducing a feeding cost of predatory mites.

Abstract: An extremely quiet short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft includes: two wings, wherein each wing comprises an engine system; a fuselage structurally connected to each wing; and a ducted fan thruster positioned on the fuselage in an orientation that is rotated relative to the typical orientation on a helicopter. An extremely quiet STOL aircraft includes: two wings, wherein each wing comprises an engine system; a fuselage structurally connected to each wing; channel shrouds surrounding at least one of the engine systems; and a ducted fan thruster positioned on the fuselage. An extremely quiet STOL aircraft includes: two wings, wherein each wing comprises an engine system, the engine system comprising two engine dual packs; a fuselage structurally connected to each wing; and a ducted fan thruster positioned on the fuselage.

Abstract: A frame including at least two hangers and at least two vertical members, each of the vertical members attached to at least one of the hangers on a first side of the vertical members, and a bottom attached to a second side of the each of the vertical members.

Abstract: An automated oyster maturation system including a containment assembly rotatably disposed within a housing. The containment assembly includes a spiral construction that includes compartments that are in communication with one another, walls that define the compartments, and ramps. Openings disposed in the walls and ramps increase in size from the outer diameter to the inner diameter of the spiral construction so that, with every complete rotation of the containment assembly, every oyster will tumble further into the spiral construction and ascend from its original compartment into the adjacent inner compartment where opening size is larger than in the original compartment such that only oysters which have grown sufficiently can remain in the adjacent inner compartment while oysters that have not grown sufficiently yet will fall through the openings of the adjacent inner compartment into the original compartment.

Abstract: An eco-friendly netting for growing and/or harvesting sod, plants, and/or any type of vegetation is disclosed herein. The eco-friendly netting includes a netting body portion forming a pattern of netting apertures, the netting body portion is formed from a material that is at least partially biodegradable. The eco-friendly netting may be preseeded. The eco-friendly netting may be treated or processed with anti-rot agents, degrading accelerators, degrading inhibitors, 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: A mushroom growing appliance includes a grow chamber defined within a cabinet and a climate control system for regulating the humidity and gas concentrations within the grow chamber. The climate control system includes a water reservoir positioned within the grow chamber for receiving water, a wicking filter positioned at least partially within the water reservoir for wicking the water into the wicking filter, a recirculation fan positioned adjacent the wicking filter for selectively urging a flow of recirculation air through the wicking filter and back into the grow chamber, and a fresh air fan positioned adjacent the wicking filter for urging a flow of fresh air through the wicking filter and into the grow chamber.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a plasma-activated liquid or gas, and applying the plasma-activated liquid for agricultural use. A system embodiment includes a hand-held device that can be pointed and directed at different target areas of a plant. A method embodiment includes generating a plasma discharge in a gas environment or a liquid environment, and applying the gas/liquid to a plant.

Abstract: A rotating disc type continuous automated biological breeding apparatus includes a plurality of rotating disc type breeding boxes and a central rotating shaft. The rotating disc type breeding boxes are stacked on each other in a longitudinal direction to form a breeding tank. Each of the rotating disc type breeding boxes includes at least one pushing plate and a lower feeding port, and the at least one pushing plate is configured to divide one of the rotating disc type breeding boxes that corresponds to the at least one pushing plate into at least one breeding compartment. The central rotating shaft penetrates through the rotating disc type breeding boxes along the longitudinal direction. The pushing plate of each of the rotating disc type breeding boxes is fixedly connected to the central rotating shaft, and the central rotating shaft is configured to drive the pushing plate to rotate.

Abstract: An organic growth substrate, which supports mushroom growth from an inoculum of the species to be grown, is disposed within a growing apparatus impervious to microbiological contamination from an external environment and operationally associated with an environmental control apparatus. The environmental control apparatus modulates air, water, thermal, and light inputs to, and outputs from, one or more growing apparatuses to establish and maintain the desired environment within the growing apparatus. The system operates via a plurality of sensing, digital processing and mechanical components governed by software algorithms and operator input. A lyophilizer freeze dries harvested mushrooms for storage stability purposes. The system is configured to exchange information with the operator via a user interface and wireless connection to remote devices.

Abstract: A system for the fertigation of a plant vessel and method of use for the same is disclosed. The system comprises a grow module containing a plurality of growing trays additionally containing plants, and/or shoots of plants in various stages of development. The growing trays are individually extracted from the grow module via a tray movement system and tray elevator controlled by a control system and precisely placed in a fertigation system, wherein they are aligned over and lowered onto an at least one nozzle which penetrate the plant vessels containing the plants and fertigate them with a combination of water, nutrients, and/or pressurized air. The individual growing tray is then replaced in the grow module and the process is repeated for all growing trays and plant vessels in the grow module.

Abstract: Liquid fertilizer compositions and methods of making and using the compositions for fertilizing crops are provided. A liquid fertilizer formulated to enhance plant growth is infused with nano-bubbles that increase the efficacy of the liquid fertilizer. The liquid fertilizer is mixed and homogenized before flowing the liquid fertilizer through a nano-bubble generator. The liquid fertilizing composition infused with nano-bubbles may be applied to soil in the same manner as standard liquid fertilizers to further promote plant growth.

Abstract: A device comprising a dispenser assembly comprising a frame having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the frame defines a pathway to enable movement of a moveable member within the frame, an inlet opening in the first surface of the frame and a drain opening in the second surface of the frame, the inlet opening and the drain opening providing access to the pathway, wherein the frame further comprises a filter overlaying the drain opening; and a moveable member translatable within the pathway between a first position and a second position, the moveable member defining at least one bore, wherein at least one of the at least one bore is aligned with the inlet opening at the first position; and a reservoir container coupled to the dispenser assembly, the reservoir container defining a dispensing opening, the dispensing opening aligned with the inlet opening of the frame.

Abstract: Methods and platforms are provided for maintaining a population of natural enemies on plants, prior and/or parallel to an occurrence of respective prey pests, by associating with the plants platform(s) comprising mechanical support(s) with attached feeding elements for the natural enemies. The platform may be configured to keep the feeding elements close to but not on the plants, protecting them and enhancing the distribution efficiency and life time, while maintaining good availability of the feeding elements to the natural enemies. Various features may enhance supporting the natural enemies' population prior and/or parallel to the occurrence of the pest prey such as olfactory and/or visual cues to the feeding elements as well as sheltering elements such as artificial domatia on the surface of the mechanical support—to enhance biological pest control. Moreover, methods for preparing decapsulated Artemia cysts as feed for predatory arthropods are provided.

Abstract: A system for improving consistent spacing between plant growing areas and for moving plant growing area comprising a plurality of beds arranged next to each other. Each bed comprises a receiving area for receiving plants and a perimeter, at least one movable element proximate to a bottom side of each of the plurality of beds allowing each bed to move in a first direction and a second direction, and an opening proximate to the perimeter of each bed. Further included is a u-shaped spacer comprising a first leg, a second leg, and a cross-member. The first leg is removably received by the opening of a first bed of the plurality of beds, and the second leg of the u-shaped spacer is removably received by the opening of a second bed of the plurality of beds that is adjacent to the first bed.

Abstract: Panel for floating cultivation of plants on water, including parallel grooves at a top side extending longitudinally, adapted for receiving a substrate and a number of plants or precursors in the substrate, each groove extending through the panel from a first top plane to a second parallel plane. The panel includes air chambers at a lower side extending substantially below the second plane, each of the air chambers allowing therein formation of air roots of plants supported in the substrate of the grooves. At the second plane, each groove is spaced apart from the circumferential side wall of the air chamber it debouches in when projected onto a plane normal to the longitudinal direction, each of the grooves including at least two side support surfaces extending parallel to the groove and below the top side, the side support surfaces adapted for substantially completely supporting the substrate in the groove.