Abstract: A pest trap comprises a mounting platform and an adhesive coated cartridge. A solar panel is disposed within the mounting platform. The adhesive coated cartridge is detachably attached to the mounting platform. The adhesive coated cartridge comprises a light emitting diode (LED) electrically connected to the solar panel for attracting a pest.

Abstract: A seedling transplanting system is provided that utilizes a seedling feeder that is configured to fit between a tray of seedlings contained within a series of chain pots and a hydroponic trough. The feeder includes a ramp and a chute that direct the seedlings from the tray into the trough. A pair of guide surfaces, which form ramp sidewalls, help the seedlings to self-right as they are drawn into the hydroponic trough. A restraining jig aids in establishing and maintaining the relative positions of the seedling tray, feeder and trough during the transplanting process. A pulling tool simplifies the transplanting process by providing means for pulling a pair of media strips along with the captured chain pots into the hydroponic trough.

Abstract: The improved saddle structure of the invention comprises first and second opposed side panels, a plurality of resilient transverse arched rib members connecting the first and second opposed side panels, and a spine member extending longitudinally between the first and second side panels. The spine member is connected to each rib member at a central crown portion of the rib member. The spine member can comprise one or more elongate members or a plurality of connecting members joining the rib members at their crown portions, and the spine member is of sufficient flexibility to flex with the flexure of the spine of an animal on which the saddle structure is fitted. A saddle seat is secured to the spine member and/or rib members. The saddle structure of the invention provides a saddle structure for use on the back of an animal whereby localised load pressure points are reduced while allowing flexure of the animal's spine, and whereby load is distributed more evenly along the length of the saddle structure.

Abstract: An animal litter box apparatus includes a main body having a base and vertical sides. A main body front side has a dual-walled construction including an exterior wall, a spaced-apart interior wall, and an upper edge adjoining upper ends of the interior and exterior walls to define an interior storage space. A compound opening is defined by respective cut-out portions of the interior wall, exterior wall, and the upper edge. A magnetic coupling element within the interior storage space cooperates with a corresponding magnet on a litter-sifting basket of a litter scoop to selectively retain the litter scoop basket therein. A recessed portion of the exterior surface of the exterior wall accommodates a proximal end portion of the litter scoop handle. An inverted U-shaped cover member disposed about the front side is slidable from an open position to a closed position to discreetly house the entire litter scoop.

Abstract: An automated nutrient injection system is provided. The automated nutrient injection system comprises a nutrient mixing and delivery system coupled to a controller. The nutrient mixing and delivery system is configured to mix a predefined formula comprised of at least one nutrient and water. The controller is configured to receive, store, and execute user-defined settings of the nutrient mixing and delivery system. The controller comprises a remote display, wherein the remote display is viewable on a device physically remote from the nutrient mixing and delivery system.

Abstract: A latchably closable horticultural capsule is configured to contain a growing medium, and to be temporarily closed around a branch section of a parent plant during an air-layering propagation process. The capsule includes a first shell portion and a second shell portion pivotally joined together by a central hinge. The first shell portion includes a main shell body having a cup-like shape configured to partially surround the branch section, the main shell body having opposed end walls with notches formed therein. The first shell portion also includes two seal-receiving cups externally attached to the end walls of the main shell body. The seal-receiving cups have hollow notches formed in respective edge portions thereof, and are also configured to partially surround the branch section. The notches of the seal-receiving cups are substantially linearly aligned with one another, and also with the notches of the main shell body.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides a method for the incorporation of colored photoluminescent materials to be sprayed on to plants and soils. The incorporation of colored photoluminescent materials assists the spray operator through the use of black lights allowing for more precise low light or nighttime spray and seeding operations. More specifically, this invention relates to a colored photoluminescent adjuvant to be applied to targeted crops, plants and seeds to assist in the low light or nighttime application of bioactive agents, such as chemicals and pesticides. The colored photoluminescent adjuvant can be applied as a solution or a foam.

Abstract: A system for displaying aquatic animals in a retail environment includes a base having a plurality of shelves, and a plurality of removable containment elements disposed on the shelves, each of the containment elements including a bottom, a top, and side walls extending between the top and the bottom to enclose a volume of water. At least one of the side walls defines a flat side viewing panel for viewing an aquatic animal inside of the containment element. Each of the containment elements is a rectangular-shaped that is sized to contain a salable number of aquatic animals.

Abstract: An animal trap, according to one embodiment, includes: a first portion having upper and a lower ends; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion, the first and second portions being relatively positionable between cocked and deployed positions; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position; a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position; and an end unit removably coupled to the lower end of the first portion. The end unit includes: a base; at least two unique members extending from a bottom end of the base; and a bottom portion coupled to a distal end of each of the unique members. A first end of each of the unique members is coupled to the base, while each of the distal ends are at a second end of each of the unique members.

Abstract: An animal trap, according to one embodiment, includes: a first portion having upper and a lower ends; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion, the first and second portions being relatively positionable between cocked and deployed positions; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position; a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position; and an end unit removably coupled to the lower end of the first portion. The end unit includes: a base; at least two unique members extending from a bottom end of the base; and a bottom portion coupled to a distal end of each of the unique members. A first end of each of the unique members is coupled to the base, while each of the distal ends are at a second end of each of the unique members.

Abstract: A microgravity agriculture device includes a root cylinder providing a growing medium for the plant and intended for root growth. The root cylinder will extend into a water tank, and the root cylinder will include apertures and wicking elements to draw water from the water tank into the root cylinder for availability to the plant roots. The geometries of the water tank, root cylinder, apertures and wicking elements are designed in a manner to ensure water surface tension will cause water in the tank to fill and stay in the proper areas to ensure water flow to the plant, no obstruction of vents during tank filling, and no egress of the water through the vents.

Abstract: An automatic animal food dispensing apparatus comprises a stationary horizontal-axis tubular casing with aligned upper and lower apertures; a rotatable food dispenser having a tubular circumferential wall formed with a single aperture that is coaxial with the casing! a hopper from which animal food is gravitationally deliverable to the food dispenser; an inclined chute extending downwardly from the food dispenser, for receiving the food discharged from the food dispenser and for directing the discharged food to a bowl; and a force transmitting unit for rotating the food dispenser a predetermined and repeatable angular distance, such that a dose of the food is introducible from the hopper into the food dispenser when the aperture of the food dispenser is aligned with the upper aperture of the casing and the dose of food is completely dispensable via the lower casing aperture following rotation of the food dispenser by the predetermined angular distance.

Abstract: A beehive system includes a processing system for monitoring and controlling a beehive. The beehive can include a bottom board, one or more boxes, and an outer cover. The one or more boxes can contain bees and bee materials, as well as various components and sensors for monitoring and controlling conditions in the beehive. The beehive can include one or more sensors for monitoring a corresponding one or more conditions inside the beehive, and one or more control elements for manipulating the one or more conditions inside the beehive.

Abstract: A safety stirrup for horseback riding having a first semi-arch element having a first end integrally connected to a first portion of a base element of the stirrup and a second end comprising a through hole (4) for mounting a stirrup leather; a second semi-arch element having an end elastically connected to a second portion of the base element opposed to the first portion is provided. The second semi-arch element is configured to delimit a portion for inserting a rider's foot into the stirrup. The stirrup comprises a support platform for the rider's foot associated with the base element. The platform is removably attached to the base element and the stirrup and may have elastic interposed between the platform and the base element, configured to define a distance between the platform and the base element in an initial rest condition, and adjustment means acting on the elastic means for changing the first distance from the initial rest condition.

Abstract: A multifunctional hanging-type plant-growing assembly, comprising a supporting system, a planting system and a watering system; the supporting system comprises a bottom frame, at least two stand columns that are fixed on the bottom frame and extend upwards, and hanging hooks disposed on the stand columns; the planting system comprises at least one planting basket and at least one flowerpot placed in the planting basket; the watering system comprises a water storage tank, a water pump matched with the water storage tank, and a water pipe with one end connected to the water outlet of the water pump; the water pump is connected to the power supply through a control switch.

Abstract: An animal enclosure includes a kennel body including a rotational molded wall formed from a plastic material. The kennel body defines an interior space shaped to accommodate one or more animals, and defines a door opening shaped to allow the animal to enter and exit the kennel body. A hoop-shaped door frame is disposed on the kennel body proximate the door opening. A door is disposed on the door frame, and the door is pivotally moveable relative to the door frame between an open position and a closed position. A latch is disposed on the door. A drain recess is defined in the rear wall of the kennel body, and a removable drain plug is positioned in the drain recess. A moat is defined around the kennel body floor, and the moat is adjacent the drain recess to allow liquid to exit the kennel when the drain plug is removed.

Abstract: Vertical growing uses a plurality of shelves to support plants. The system provides nitrogen and light to help grow the plants placed on the shelves. The system also circulates air that is filtered and mixed with the nitrogen before being distributed to the plants. The filters can remove odors from the circulating air.

Abstract: The invention concerns an animal feed system (1) suitable for supplying feed or water, comprising: a freely rotatable holder (2) for feed or water with a discharge opening (3) provided in the underside; a catchment tray (4) for supporting the holder (2) and capturing and temporarily storing the feed or water dispensed via the discharge opening (3); fixing means intended to attach the holder (2) to the catchment tray (4), wherein the fixing means comprise an annular fixing element (5) with security edge (6), wherein said fixing element (5) comprises a passage (7) for the feed or water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preparing dairy animal teats for being milked, and more particularly to teat preparation, rinsing, and milking that all take place in a milking machine teat cup liner. Such a method includes: applying a teat sanitizer to the teat; injecting air into the liner to force the teat sanitizer toward a waste milk line connected to the liner; pulsating the liner at a first pulsation rate; drawing a rinsing milk from the teat; directing the teat sanitizer, the air, and the rinsing fluid to the waste milk line; pulsating the liner at a second pulsation rate to draw additional milk from the teat; and directing the additional milk to a good milk line.

Abstract: A gutter assembly is provided that is configured to collect water passing through a plurality of vertical hydroponic towers, the assembly minimizing leakage while simplifying gutter maintenance. The gutter assembly includes a gutter pipe from which an upper portion has been removed to form a pair of mounting ledges. The gutter assembly also includes a gutter cap that is attached to the gutter pipe via the mounting ledges using a snap fit system.