Abstract: A rib saw is provided. The saw includes a saw blade, a first rail, a second rail, a sticker chain assembly, a plurality of actuators and a main controller. The first and second rails are configured to guide a shell bone to the saw blade. The sticker chain assembly is configured to move the shell bone along the first and second rails. The plurality of actuators are coupled to move the first and second rails in relation to each other. Moreover, the main controller is configured to control the plurality of actuators to dynamically move the first and second rails while the shell bone is being moved along the first and second rails to achieve a desired rib rack cut with the saw blade.

Abstract: A system for operating a robotic arm comprises a carriage and a robotic arm. The carriage is mounted on a track adjacent to a rotary milking platform having a substantially circular perimeter and a stall for a dairy livestock. The carriage moves along a substantially straight portion of the track tangent to and outside the perimeter of the rotary milking platform at a rate based at least in part upon a speed of rotation of the rotary milking platform. The carriage moves in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the rotary milking platform and such movement of the carriage is independent of any physical coupling between the carriage and the rotary milking platform. The robotic arm extends between the legs of the dairy livestock.

Abstract: A system includes a camera, a controller and a robotic arm. The camera generates an image of an udder of a dairy livestock. The controller determines a position of the udder of the dairy livestock based at least in part upon the image. The controller further determines a spray position based at least in part upon the determined position of the udder of the dairy livestock. Determining the spray position includes processing the accessed image to determine a tangent at the rear of the udder and a tangent at the bottom of the udder. The spray position is a position relative to the intersection of the two tangents. The robotic arm is communicatively coupled to the controller and positions a spray tool at the spray position.

Abstract: A device for removing skin from meat cuts of irregular thickness is presented. The device for removing skin from meat cuts includes an overhead roller having a drive roller and a pair of idler rollers rotatably mounted to a pair of support plates. The device further includes a belt extending around the driver roller and pair of idler rollers. A support shaft extends between the support plates within a loop of the belt. A plurality of resistive devices are attached to the hold down members to provide varying resistance when a meat product is lifted into contact with the belt.

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 water-level indicator and re-fill apparatus for the sub-irrigation of potted plants. The indicator uses a float and shaft placed inside an outer tube attached to a potted plant as a way to visually indicate to the user when the reservoir of the sub-irrigation system is running low. While attached to the plant, the user may conveniently re-fill the apparatus after being notified of the water level without disassembling the apparatus or removing it from a decorative planter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clasp hanger for hanging. The clasp hanger includes a hanger hook comprised of an elongated part. The hanger hook has a hanger hook section and a neck section opposite the hook section. The neck section is expandable to allow the clasp hanger to be quickly hung on a support object such as a branch. The clasp hanger further includes an object attachment device attached to the neck section of the hanger hook. This object attachment device is configured for attaching an object to be hung. The object may be, for example, configured to dispense a chemical or formulation useful in agricultural pest management. The hanger hook, and object attachment device are disposed such that, after the support object is pushed through the neck, the hanger hook will automatically rotate such that the support object is disposed at an interior part of the hanger hook that is away from the neck section. This prevents the support object from passing back through the neck section.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an applicator configured to pressurize and heat a mixture of water and herbicide, and expel the heated and pressurized water/herbicide mixture from the applicator. In some embodiments, the herbicide may be an organic herbicide such as organic acids, simple sugars, surfactants, or ammonia. The applicator may include an inline heating element coupled with a spray tip of the applicator such that the inline heating element may receive a water/herbicide mixture from a water line of the applicator, heat the water/herbicide mixture, and then supply the water/herbicide mixture to the spray tip.

Abstract: A poultry processing line is provided having a series of poultry carriers and a processing unit or processing units, wherein the poultry carriers are movable to and from the processing unit or processing units and the poultry carriers and the processing unit or processing units are synchronized to enable processing of the poultry by the processing unit or processing units. A switch is provided such that the poultry carriers and/or the processing unit or processing units are selectable between an operational position in which the poultry is processed by the processing unit or units and an inoperational or idle position in which the poultry is prevented from being processed by the processing unit or units.

Abstract: A flexible general purpose holder apparatus easily attached to and detached from supporting members with either a flick of a wrist or a fasting element such as a screw or mechanical fastener, and can be adjusted in an angle of up to 90 degrees in a stable manner about a line perpendicular to the length of the support member and in an angle of up to 90 degrees in a stable manner about a line that is perpendicular to the first line. The apparatus comprises a holding element, a connecting rod, a joining element, first attaching element, and an effective length.

Abstract: A method for cultivating plants is described. The method comprises the steps of sowing seeds in the growing medium in sterilized pots (17) using a sowing device (7), allowing the seeds to germinate in a germination device (8), automatically moving the pots through a greenhouse (2) to allow the germinated seeds to grow into plants (43), harvesting the grown plants using a harvester (5), and sterilizing the pots with the growing medium in a sterilization device (6) after harvest in order to provide sterilized pots (17) with a growing medium. An arrangement for performing the method is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a milking implement for automatically milking a dairy animal. The implement includes a measuring device for measuring a position of an object such as at least one of a displaceable element of the milking implement and a teat of the dairy animal, and a control device for controlling at least the measuring device. The control device is configured to take at least one measurement, using the measuring device, on at least one point on the object in order to obtain a position information regarding the object, compare the obtained position information with a known position information regarding the object, and calibrate the measuring device on the basis of the comparison between the obtained position information and the known position information.

Abstract: A system and method for providing floating decoys is described. The system includes a mechanism for moving tethered decoys in a motion that mimics the natural movement of floating waterfowl. The mechanism includes a motor that moves one end of the tether in a circular, or approximately circular motion along the surface of the water. The decoys then move back and forth on the surface of the water.

Abstract: In an effort to spruce up or add to the curb appeal of a home or business, a flower pot that is comprised in two sections and is detached can be placed around a column of the home. From the curb the passer-by would notice a plant around a column and not realize that the soil and plants are slightly elevated above the ground level to prevent water from directly draining on the wooden post or around any of the home structures where the pooling of water would be undesirable.

Abstract: A dog harness comprising, an open ended prosternum loop and an open ended sternum loop that are angularly interconnected so as to form first and second harness apexes adapted to be positioned over the shoulders of a dog, first and second web loops attached to the respective first and second apexes, each having a slip buckle for adjusting the size of the loop, and a single side release buckle slidingly engaging the first and second web loops for interconnecting the loops over the dog's withers.

Abstract: An electric device for killing insects and animals having a mesh surface holding assembly having at least one a conductive mesh surface, an electrical power source for providing electricity to the mesh surface, at least one light source constructed and positioned to provide backlighting on the mesh surface, an actuator for selectively initiating and ceasing supply of electrical power from the electrical source to the mesh by incorporated circuitry, and a handle assembly supporting the mesh surface assembly.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a live plant or tree, such as, a Christmas tree that is being held in water, inside a stand, and also has a low water indicator. The present invention also provides a Christmas tree stand that has a low water indicator, and has an independent spring compression system that is self-adjusting and serves to position the tree securely and up-right. The low water indicator system is a float device that will rise and fall with the water level, mainly including a float, plunger, activation wire, power source, and buzzer that is built or attached to the tree stand. As the water level drops the float-plunger system activates an electrical connection and causes an alarm to be activated. Upon the activation of the alarm the tree stand will require water, and once water is added, the alarm will automatically deactivate.

Abstract: A system comprises a robotic arm operable to extend between the legs of a dairy livestock located in a milking stall of a rotary milking platform, a camera operable to generate an image signal corresponding to a rear of the dairy livestock, and a controller communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the camera. The controller determines whether a milking claw is attached to the teats of the dairy livestock by receiving the image signal generated by the camera and processing the image signal. If it is determined based on the image signal that the milking claw is not attached, the controller controls the robotic arm to extend between the legs of the dairy livestock. If it is determined based on the image signal that the milking claw is attached, the controller controls the robotic arm not to extend between the legs of the dairy livestock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting of backmeat of a carcass or carcass part of slaughtered poultry in connection with a process of filleting of the carcass or carcass part is provided. The method can include scraping the backmeat loose from the carcass or carcass part whereby a connection is maintained with fillets of the carcass or carcass part. Prior to the filleting of the carcass or carcass part a neck portion of a backbone of the carcass or carcass parts is fixed in position, whereby thereafter the backmeat is scraped loose from the carcass or carcass part.

Abstract: A method for operating a robotic arm, comprises determining a speed of rotation of a rotary milking platform, the rotary milking platform having a stall for a dairy livestock. The method continues by moving a carriage along a track positioned adjacent to the rotary milking platform at a rate that is based at least in part upon the determined speed of rotation of the rotary milking platform, wherein the carriage moves independently of the rotary milking platform and in a direction corresponding to a direction of rotation of the rotary milking platform. The method continues by extending a robotic arm that is coupled to the carriage between the legs of the dairy livestock, wherein the robotic arm remains extended between the legs of the dairy livestock for a period of time as the stall rotates adjacent to the robotic arm. The method concludes by retracting the robotic arm from between the legs of the dairy livestock as the stall rotates adjacent to the robotic arm.