Abstract: The invention refers to a tying system employing an accessory bearing a quick attachment hook, for tying a plastic cover film for agricultural crops such as soft fruit covers. Cultivation of soft fruits in covered space has been growing in recent decades. Several solutions have been developed including greenhouses or gable systems. The placement, fastening and fixing of the plastic film is achieved with ropes, elastic cords or soft PVC tubing. However, the cost of binding the plastic film is significant as skilled staff and considerable amounts of man hours are required to tie the plastic film to the supporting structure. Tying the film, in most cases, is carried out by employing knots on grommets that the plastic films.

Abstract: A method and device for milking using a milking system with a control unit and an adjustable stimulator, including stimulating for a stimulus time and subsequently milking a dairy animal, measuring and evaluating the milk flow profile in order to determine if the milk flow profile is bimodal. If it is, then the control unit automatically adjusts the stimulating operation by extending the stimulating operation by an extension value. If it is not, then the control unit may, optionally automatically, shorten the stimulating operation. As a result, the milking system is able to reduce the strain on the teats caused by unnecessary stimulation or by milking in an efficient way during a bimodal part of the milking operation and also to adjust this during the entire lactation, if necessary. In this way, changes in the dairy animal itself are also compensated for.

Abstract: Device for delivering at least a layer of compost and casing soil to a shelving for growing mushrooms, comprising a first conveyor, on which in a downstream direction are arranged a first hopper with a receiving opening for receiving compost and a dispensing opening for delivering a compost layer on the first conveyor and a second hopper with a receiving opening for receiving casing soil and a dispensing opening for delivering casing soil on the compost layer wherein at least one separator for separating in a direction perpendicular to the downstream direction at least two fractions of the layer of compost with casing soil.

Abstract: A convertible, plant securement device intended for nurseries and horticulturalists to secure potted and non-potted plants and trees from tipping over as well as securing their watering lines. The device may be used with a vertical ground stake such as a section of steel rebar wherein it has a horizontal hook that catches over the edge of a pot to secure it to the ground. Alternatively, it may be rotated 90 degrees and secured to a trellis wire and then strapped around the stock or trunk of a tree to keep it vertical and upright.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of rapid generation-adding breeding of rice in the technical field of rice breeding, including soaking seeds of the rice, germination, seedlings cultivation, managing and regulating of the rice at the growth stage, and harvesting the rice. The managing and regulating the rice at the growth stage includes dynamic light quality and photoperiod control in vegetative growth period, heading period and pustulation period; growth period involves light environment regulation with the ratio of red light:blue light:white light of 0.8-1:0.8-1:1.0, photoperiod of 16-18 h; heading period involves light environment regulation with the ratio of red light:blue light:white light of 1-2:0.5-1:1, photoperiod of 12-13.5 h; and pustulation period includes light environment regulation with the ratio of red light:blue light:white light of 1-2:1:1, photoperiod of 16-18 h.

Abstract: A spring actuated weedless fishing lure increases the chances of successfully catching a fish without entangling a hook on plant material. A weedless guard system prevents the hook from catching on weeds and compresses a spring to hold the spring and hook in a retracted position. When a fish strikes, the weedless guard system is released allowing the spring to expand and push the hook in a longitudinal direction to an expanded position away from other parts of the lure. This expanded position provides a greater area for the fish's mouth to engage with the hook without interference from other parts of the lure. The expanded position also allows the hooks to embed closer to the front of a fish's mouth and reduces the risk of the fish swallowing the whole lure.

Abstract: A mycelium growth bed for growing a solid substrate-bound mycelium through which the mycelium composite is easily and readily removed. This is achieved through the use of a perforation layer embedded between the mycelium substrate and the mycelium composite so as to create a uniform structural weakness and thereby enhancing harvesting abilities of the ex-substrate mycelium via a greatly reduced and uniform tear strength. The perforation layer, through which the mycelium grows, allows for the gated and controlled extrusion of a matrix of colonial cells that may be easily and uniformly delaminated from the underlying mycelium substrate.

Abstract: A distribution device automates and meters distribution of feed in a commercial shrimp production facility utilizing a stacked shallow tank configuration. The device includes an elongated support surface positioned over and extending along an elongated tank having an open top. A shuttle moves along the support surface to move along a length of the tank. A hopper to hold feed is coupled to the shuttle. A spreader is in environmental communication with the hopper to distribute feed from the hopper and a meter is operationally coupled between the hopper and the spreader for controlling an amount of the feed delivered to and distributed by the spreader.

Abstract: An extendable pot for catching fish includes a frame structure comprising a main frame structure and an extendable frame structure, with the extendable frame structure comprising a number of floating elements extending the extendable frame structure out from the main frame structure when the pot is immersed in water.

Abstract: An agricultural leaf stripper which can adopt numerous configurations allowing leaf stripping of bushes and trees of varying shapes and sizes consists of a structure capable of being transported along a horizontal axis parallel to the ground and consisting of a structure formed of two parts one of which is fixed to the transporter vehicle and the other of which can slide vertically on the fixed part and supports a rectilinear rail generally parallel to the structure and able to be moved horizontally towards and away from the structure and tilted with respect thereto, the rail carrying at least two pneumatic leaf stripping heads, each stripping head being able to be set to a desired position on the rail independently of the other leaf stripping heads, and each being able to be set to a desired orientation about its working axis on the rail.

Abstract: A liquid capture tray and conservation system for capturing agricultural liquids which would otherwise be wasted and could contaminate groundwater. The liquid capture tray has a tray body and a reservoir matrix across the tray body. The reservoir matrix has a plurality of adjacent interconnected concave liquid capture cups, each with a sidewall and bottom wall defining an upwardly disposed reservoir. The tray is positioned below the root zone of a plant growing area to capture liquids that pass through the root zone into the reservoirs of the cups. Apertures in the tray body allow excess liquids to drain from the tray. A connecting mechanism can be utilized to connect two trays together. Cut-outs in the sidewalls of the cups allow liquid to move from one cup to another to disperse liquid across the reservoir matrix. The system includes a growing area, root zone, liquid and liquid capture tray.

Abstract: A tailboard system for horse stalls. A tailboard system for a horse stall includes a plurality of tailboard sections, each tailboard section including a first arched portion between a first pair of integral flanges including an upper flange and a lower flange, the arched portion including a pair of straight, angled sides connected by a rounded tip, and a first tapered end adjacent to a second tapered end of an adjacent section of the plurality of tailboard sections to form a triangular gap therebetween, and a joint strap covering the triangular gap, the joint strap including a second pair of flanges between a second arched portion, and wherein the plurality of tailboard sections are adapted to be mounted by the pair of flanges in a row around at least a portion of an inside perimeter of the horse stall to form the tailboard system.

Abstract: An incubator includes a housing defining a chamber, an air inlet for introducing air into the chamber, and a first air outlet for discharging air from the chamber. The first air outlet is spaced from the air inlet, and a stack of operatively vertically spaced first trays is disposed within the chamber between the air inlet and the first air outlet. A first tilting mechanism is provided for tilting the stack of first trays on a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of operative airflow from the air inlet to the first air outlet. A stack of operatively vertically spaced first deflectors are disposed operatively upstream of the first trays for dividing the airflow from the air inlet to the first air outlet into streams of airflow directed over the first trays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic jerking device for fishing, and more particularly, to an automatic jerking device for fishing, which has a biting signal detection member for detecting a biting when a fish bites a bait during fishing, and automatically performs a jerking to catch the fish at a proper timing.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus includes an inner compartment having a first opening; and an outer compartment having a second opening. At least one of the inner compartment and the outer compartment is configured to be movable relative to the other one of the inner compartment and the outer compartment from a first position in which the first opening is out of alignment with the second opening to a second position in which the first opening is aligned with the second opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to melanoidins and their use for improving properties of plants. The methods and compositions of the invention are particularly useful for control of fungal plant diseases and drought conditions, and promotion of plant growth.

Abstract: A milk cart comprises a chassis, a storage tank coupled to the chassis, and a conveyor system comprising an exit configured to connect to a return line that terminates inside the storage tank. The return line comprises a first portion extending vertically towards a bottom of the inside of the storage tank, a second portion extending vertically in a direction towards a top of the inside the storage tank, and a base portion extending from the first portion to the second portion. The second portion is positioned at a lateral distance from an interior of a wall of the storage tank and further comprises an upper end comprising at least one opening.

Abstract: System and methods for monitoring the growth of an aquatic plant culture and detecting real-time characteristics associated with the aquatic plant culture aquatic plants. The systems and methods may include a control unit configured to perform an analysis of at least one image of an aquatic plant culture. The analysis may include processing at least one collected image to determine at least one physical characteristic or state of an aquatic plant culture. Systems and methods for distributing aquatic plant cultures are also provided. The distribution systems and methods may track and control the distribution of an aquatic plant culture based on information received from various sources. Systems and methods for growing and harvesting aquatic plants in a controlled and compact environment are also provided. The systems may include a bioreactor having a plurality of vertically stacked modules designed to contain the aquatic plants and a liquid growth medium.

Abstract: A vase and vase urn are each equipped with a plurality of windows for mounting photos, lyrics and the like, for adorning tables at weddings, funerals and other ceremonies of note. Retention rings can be of a snap-fit design or press fit to retain the memorabilia in the windows.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a system and an apparatus for treating food items. Such method and device may, for instance, be used to cool down food items, bleed freshly slaughtered fish and treat live fish against parasites. The device and method of the present invention further uses temperature differences and agitation to tread food items. A method for reducing or eliminating sea lice from salmon fish, said method comprising: a) transporting the salmon fish from a reservoir and the feeding salmon fish in liquid into the tubing of a first pumping device, said liquid being at a temperature from +15 to +28° C.