Abstract: A horse safety assembly includes a blanket that is draped over an animal. The blanket is comprised of an electrically conductive material. An insulator is coupled to the blanket and the insulator rests on the animal when the blanket is positioned on the animal. The insulator is comprised of an electrically insulating material. A plurality of straps is provided and each of the straps is coupled to the blanket. Each of the straps is selectively matable to each other to retain the blanket on the animal. A shock unit is coupled to the blanket and the shock unit is in electrical communication with the blanket. The shock unit delivers an electrical shock to an attacker when the attacker attacks the animal. In this way the attacker is repelled from the animal.

Abstract: A horseback riding apparatus embodiment is described that includes a saddle mountable over a body of a horse, a bridle mountable over a head of a horse, a main rein connected to the bridle and a rein keeper connectable to the main rein and the saddle. The rein keeper has a first end, an elongated strap, and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end can be slidably connectable to the main rein, and the second end can be fixedly connectable to the saddle. The elongated strap has a strap length, wherein at least a portion of the strap length is extensible to allow a horse head to freely move between a raised position and a resting position and wherein the rein keeper is graspable by a rider seated on the saddle.

Abstract: A farrowing system including a farrowing pen adapted to receive a sow, a feed dispenser adapted to dispense feed to the sow received in the farrowing pen according to a first feeding pattern, at least one heating element providing heat to a portion of the farrowing pen, a birth detection sensor for detecting a birth of a piglet from the sow, and a controller operatively connected to the birth sensor, to the feed dispenser and to the at least one heating element for switching from the first feeding pattern to a second feeding pattern and for activating the at least one heating element upon detection of the birth. There is also provided a method for operating a farrowing system and a method for dispensing feed to a farrowing sow.

Abstract: A novel collapsible plant support includes a collapsible coil adapted to rest on a flat surface. In a particular embodiment, the collapsible plant support includes a plurality of vertical support structures coupled to the collapsible coil so as to provide additional support. In another particular embodiment, a collapsible plant support includes plant receptacle receiving element that supports both a collapsible coil and also a plant receptacle. In a more particular embodiment, the plant receptacle receiving element includes fluid ducts for connecting multiple plant receptacle receiving elements into a fluid network. In another embodiment, the coil is disposed within a helical sleeve coupled to a flexible, cylindrical mesh.

Abstract: A moving wing waterfowl or migratory bird decoy including a decoy body constructed of a predetermined material with exterior ornamentation to simulate a live waterfowl or migratory bird, the decoy body being arranged in a predetermined orientation to simulate a waterfowl or migratory bird, the decoy body having a top and a bottom. The decoy has at least one decoy wing connected to the decoy body, the decoy wing being constructed and arranged to simulate the wing of a waterfowl or migratory bird. The decoy body is constructed and arranged of a particular plastic material to hyper-realistically resemble a waterfowl or migratory bird. The control and power module is plug and play software controllable. The decoy is mountable on a male type member post via a female type receptacle on the decoy body. The decoy has a biased stabilizer cord that also mimics the legs of the waterfowl or migratory bird.

Abstract: A water-activated bobber release device has a housing, a bobber assembly, a spool and a line, a bobbin assembly with a dissolvable tablet, a screw extending through a central hole in the bobber assembly and a center hole in the dissolvable tablet of the bobbin assembly, and a cap with an aperture and a valve between the aperture and the bobbin assembly. The screw engages the bobbin assembly and a threaded fastener to compress a spring. When the device is submerged in a body of water at a certain depth, the pressure opens the valve to allow water to enter. The water dissolves the tablet which collapses the bobbin assembly, and the spring forces the bobber away from the housing. Once released from the housing, the bobber is free to float to the surface of the water allowing for the retrieval of the submerged item attached to the housing.

Abstract: The combination of a repellent agent or an attractant agent with a wavelength-specific visual cue agent has been found to produce an unexpected and synergistic effect of increased repellency or attraction in dichromatic animals who are not maximally sensitive to the wavelength of the repellent or attractant agent. The method of the invention may be used to repel dichromatic-animal pests; or to prevent or minimize monetary damage, particularly to agricultural products, natural resources or private property. The method of the invention may also be used to attract dichromatic animals for the purpose of agricultural production, recreational opportunities (e.g., wild-rodent feeders), or the effective administration of target-animal pharmaceuticals or mitigation techniques.

Abstract: A pet apparatus that facilitates the movement of a household pet through a pet door opening provided in a door at the head of a stairway leading to a lower level of a building. The invention comprises a rigid platform member engaged with a barrier member, and a support member that is attached to the stairway door to safely redirect the pet to travel in a left or right direction, relative to the pet door opening, to prevent the pet from falling down the stairway. A collapsible embodiment of the invention incorporates foldability. Additional embodiments to the collapsible embodiment include manual, cord, and spring-operated foldability. The device is intended for use in combination with commonly available pet doors.

Abstract: Ergonomic protective cone collars for pets, their use, and positioning are disclosed. Such cone-collars may be made of two main sections, a cone-like-structure and an integral-collar that may be attached to a base of the cone-like-structure. The integral-collar may be collar like, intended to be worn and fastened around a neck of the animal. The cone-like-structure may be made from a plurality of radially-oriented-tapered-pockets, that due to their fill and/or material of construction may be semi-rigid, imparting a degree of inherent stiffness, flexibility, and/or elasticity. The plurality of radially-oriented-tapered-pockets may be of different lengths such that the cone-like-structure has an overall scalloped shape which may provide for several benefits, such as proper coverage proximate to the animal's mouth region and less visually obscuring material at the sides of the animal's head. A cone-collar may be positioned properly on the animal via removable attachment to a harness worn by the animal.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a modular green roof tray, house plant growth media and horticulture growth media, and a tree protection mat for weed and moisture control made from recycled disposable diapers. The growth medium and tree protection mat contain superabsorbent materials from diaper that can absorb waters and greatly reduce irrigation so to provide a drought resistant feature. One embodiment also provides a manufacturing process to perform 100% recycling of disposed diapers.

Abstract: A decoy sled having a folding wall system which is secured thereto so as to be selectively movable between a folded position within the decoy sled to an upright position. The folding wall system includes a front wall member, a first side wall member which extends rearwardly from one end of the front wall member, a second side wall member which extends rearwardly from the outer end of the front wall member and a rear wall member which extends between the rear ends of the first and second side wall member. A plurality of storage pockets, having open upper ends, are associated with the folding wall system.

Abstract: A smart leash system is disclosed, which includes a handheld system configured to be held by a user, a collar system configured to be worn by an animal, a leash coupled to and extended between the handheld system and the collar system, and a load measuring sensor coupled to the handheld system and configured to measure force applied to the leash, wherein one of the handheld system, the collar system, and both the handheld system and the collar system is configured to receive a force signal representing the force applied to the leash and signal the collar system to provide a feedback to the animal when the force exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A toy is formed in a hollow configuration with an exterior diameter, an interior diameter, a wall thickness, and a length. The toy is fabricated of a rigid material. The toy has an exterior surface to be held by a dog. The toy is slidably receivable on a leash adjacent to a collar when the dog is being walked. The method includes the step of positioning the toy on the leash closer to the lower end than to the upper end of the leash while the dog is being walked. The toy is removable from the leash to be used as a chew and throw toy separate from the leash.

Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a film for an agricultural greenhouse that can maintain a CO2 concentration necessary for the photosynthesis of plants even when ventilation is not performed and to provide an agricultural greenhouse using the film. The film for an agricultural greenhouse of the present invention is a cellulose film which contains a cellulose acylate resin and has an equilibrium moisture content of 4% to 8% at a temperature of 25° C., a relative humidity of 80% and a thickness of 60 to 200 ?m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for seed sprouting. An example system may include a jar having a top opening and a bottom opening, a seal lid, and a perforated lid. The system may include a seed packet containing seeds. A quantity of the seeds is calibrated based on a volume of the jar. The system may include a stand to support the jar vertically when the seeds are placed into the jar and moistened with water after the seal lid is secured at the bottom opening. The perforated lid includes holes to allow draining of the water after the perforated lid is secured at the top opening and the jar is positioned with the top opening down. The system may include a further perforated lid to be secured at the bottom opening after the jar is positioned with the top opening down to allow air to flow through the jar.

Abstract: A bait holder includes a multi-purpose lid that has a sliding portion operable to both cut and enclose bait within a bait container.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to smart mosquito and insect trap devices, networks and method for detecting, counting, trapping and discarding a population of mosquitoes and/or insects. The mosquito species include the ones such as Aedes mosquito species that can cause Zika virus diseases. The device comprising a housing (201) having a directional force through a narrow path (240) to move an insect or mosquito in a predetermined direction. The device comprises one or more detectors (255) to detect a presence of an insect or mosquito along the path (240). An isolated basket (260) or trap is included to trap the insect or mosquito at a location below or at an end of the path. A processor (352) tracks a count of a population in the basket based on detection of the presence of the insect or mosquito.

Abstract: A plant cultivating container includes an outer cup, an inner cup received in the outer cup, wherein the inner cup is provided for cultivating plant(s). A floating plate is movably disposed between the bottoms of the outer cup and the inner cup and a follower is mounted to the floating plate, wherein the floating plate is reciprocally moved relative to the outer due to a water level in the outer cup. At least one window is defined in the outer cup and the follower is formed with a shutter, wherein a relative action is formed between the shutter and the at least one window for providing a continual visual effect.

Abstract: A device for damaging weed is provided, the device having a working tool, which is designed to damage the weed; a classification unit, which has positional data of the weed and/or which is designed to detect weeds; a localization unit, which is designed to ascertain a relative position between the working tool and the weed; and a manipulator unit, which is designed to correspondingly position the working tool as a function of the ascertained relative position.

Abstract: A method of producing a mycological composite material comprises inoculating a substrate of fibrous material with an inoculum of mycelial tissue; rolling the inoculated substrate into a roll; and thereafter incubating the rolled inoculated substrate for a time sufficient for the mycelial tissue to grow hyphae that enmesh with the substrate to form a cohesive unified filamentous network with the rolled inoculated substrate being characterized in being flexible. The rolled inoculated substrate may be subsequently processed by subjecting lengths of the roll to heat and pressure in molds to form rigid products.