Abstract: A tether device includes a tether assembly disposed between two entities maintaining connection between the entities. A resilient element is integrated with the tether assembly. A geometry of the tether assembly and the resilient element create first and second resilient element and tether force-displacement responses when the resilient element and tether assembly are together subjected to at least first and second axial displacement forces. The second axial displacement force is greater than the first axial displacement force. The first force-displacement response, when subjected to the first axial displacement force, is greater than the second force-displacement response when subjected to the second axial displacement force. The geometry can include a tether configured in a serpentine formation in a relaxed position. The serpentine formation straightens taut when the tether is fully extended by the second axial displacement force. The geometry can also include multiple O-rings.

Abstract: Plant roots are moved by various means and sometimes exposed to air within a clean room system of plant production. A tub and lid system of plant containment and plant care may be integrated into a rack system which may be contained within a clean room environment devoid of bugs, environmental deviations, pollution and other contaminates found in a typical organic system of the prior art.

Abstract: A feed bin boot slide operator provides an arm which may be adjustable in length operably coupled to a handle supported by a leg. The leg and arm are preferably pivotably connected together and the leg may terminate at a foot with a pivot. Movement of the handle reciprocates the arm which is connected to a sliding door so the operator need not crouch underneath the feed bin to operate the door.

Abstract: A micro layering pest control system that includes combining generally immiscible ingredients in a container, maintaining the ingredients in a combined state by substantially continuously agitating and homogenizing the combined ingredients under pressure, and discharging the combined ingredients in one or more applications.

Abstract: An aquarium including a tank; a stirrer having one end extending upwardly from within the tan and an opposite end rotatably mounted in a bearing at a bottom of the tank; a substrate in the tank; and a sediment drain hole formed in a sidewall or a bottom of the tank.

Abstract: A pet bag rack, comprising horizontal bars and two groups of relatively disposed side bars. One end of each group of the side bars is hinged to one end of the horizontal bars, and the other end of the side bars is pivoted to a pivot seat. The side bars may rotate around the pivot seat; a limiting and fixing device comprising a revolving shaft, a knob and a limiting turntable is mounted on the pivot seat. The revolving shaft runs through the center of the pivot seat. The knob is arranged at the inner end of the revolving shaft. The limiting turntable is slipped over the revolving shaft.

Abstract: A system for applying mushroom growing materials includes a hopper for the materials. A blower unit creates an air stream which acts as a carrier for blowing the material fed by the hopper through a transport hose wrapped partially around a reel. The hose communicates with and feeds the material to an applicating head which is mounted on a mushroom bed. The material is conveyed through the applicating head by being spread in a transverse direction by a distributor. The material is then fed to an applicating member which is preferably a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt deposits the material onto the mushroom bed.

Abstract: A flower belt comprises a belt member and a plurality of belt attachments. The belt member comprises a durable, flexible elongated body with an adjustable securing means designed to securely affix around a tree trunk. The belt member further comprises a hook attachment means which enables the securing and removably receiving the plurality of belt attachments. The hook attachment comprises hooks outwardly disposed for suspending the belt attachments.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for milking animals, that can be carried by a person to any location, preferably in a bag such as a hand bag, side bag or backpack. The portable apparatus includes a carrying device, a power unit including a vacuum pipeline, a milk pipeline having a milk reservoir, and a milking claw unit, having one or more teat-cups. The vacuum pipeline provides suction force to the teat-cups that operatively draw milk from the animal udder. The milk pipeline operatively connects the teat-cups to the milk reservoir. Vacuum force further creates partial vacuum in the milk reservoir, and along with gravity the drawn milk flows to the milk reservoir. The portable apparatus can be used to milk animals located at sites accessible only by foot. The portable apparatus can be used to milk colostrums after parturition, and to milk animals having infected udder/teat.

Abstract: A system and method for the conductive cooling and warming of livestock. Heat exchangers are positioned beneath the cushion bedding areas of the animal so as to utilize on-site water, either in a single pass or a re-circulating system. In a single pass system the on-site water supply is diverted to the heat exchangers below the animal cushion bedding before returning to its original use for purposes such as drinking, wash down, or other processes. With the re-circulating system, a separate heat exchanger is located between the on-site water and the re-circulating water to the cushion bedding areas so as to exchange heat transferred from the animal lying on the cushion bedding above the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a flexible body with rope support configurations. In one embodiment, the rope configurations include one or more loops that are exposed and one or more knots that are covered by an exterior plush component of the pet toy. In another embodiment, two or more strands of rope material are tied in a series of knots, and an additional strand of rope material may be tied to the other strands in a transverse fashion. Preferably, the exterior plush component includes fabric. One or more of the free ends of the strands of rope material may also protrude beyond the plush component. The fabric material is sewn over the exposed portions of the rope material. Enough fabric material is used such that twisting, extending and retracting the rope material does not transfer force directly to the exterior fabric, thereby preserving the exterior plush component. The knots provide internal bulk to the body of the toy eliminating the need for stuffing.

Abstract: A system includes a first wall positioned substantially parallel to a second wall, a first end of the first wall and a first end of the second wall defining an entrance to a milking platform entrance lane having a width in the range of thirty inches to thirty-six inches. The system further includes a flare wall having a first end coupled to a second end of the second wall, the flare wall extending outwardly from the second wall at an angle in the range of thirty-five degrees to forty-five degrees with respect to the second wall. A second end of the flare wall and a second end of the first wall define an exit from the milking platform entrance lane having a width in the range of forty inches to fifty-four inches.

Abstract: An apparatus for milking an animal and provides a milking parlor (1) including first and second robotic manipulation devices (100, 200) and a plurality of milking stalls (5) provided on a platform (3) moveable relative to the robotic manipulation devices (100, 200) wherein the robotic manipulation devices (100, 200) are positioned so as to be capable of simultaneously servicing neighboring milking stalls (5) on the platform (3).

Abstract: A dairy stable (5) and a method for controlling a stable (1), preferably a dairy stable (5) for milking livestock (4), having at least one milking system including at least one, preferably automatic, milking stations (8, 9, 12, 13, 14), and where the individual animal's access to milking is controlled, preferably via a transponder or similar on the animal. Furthermore, a milking station (8, 9, 12, 13, 14) for use in connection with a method and a dairy stable (5). In this manner, it is ensured that, within a given time interval, all animals (4) are guided to one or more selected milking stations (8, 9) at least once, where the selected milking station or stations (8, 9) are adapted in a special way with test equipment for determining various conditions of or at the milk and differently as compared to other milking stations (12, 13, 14).

Abstract: The invention is a device and method for providing irrigation water to a plant that promotes the growth of the roots of the plant deep into the soil. The invention includes a tube, connector, and soaker hose that is buried next to a plant. The invention connects to an existing irrigation drip line system that previously provided water to the plant. The invention also repels the roots of the plant away from the apparatus so that the roots are hindered from destroying the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving germination of manufactured seeds. The manufactured seed of the invention comprises a seed coat, nutritive media comprising an adsorbent material in a concentration from about 30 g/L to about 100 g/L, and a shoot restraint comprising a cavity. The manufactured seed further comprises a plant embryo. The adsorbent material may be nutrient-treated or non-nutrient-treated charcoal. The manufactured seed may optionally contain an adsorbent material in the cavity of the shoot restraint.

Abstract: A pet treat is manufactured of mostly or entirely of a compressed food material or similar substance. The treat has a semi-rigid or flexible outer shell, skin, film or membrane formed of an edible paper products such as a food paper or rice paper of a type capable of being made from white rice flour, tapioca flour, salt, and water, or from a planar sheet of edible material made from, for example, ground yellow corn, or, with any material, may be used separately or together with poultry by-products, fish meal, catnip or fish oil. Catnip, alfalfa, or any other olfactory or gustative attractive material may be provided in a liquid or flake form, and may be applied integrally in the manufacture of the edible sheet, or included in a central core that is encased by the outer sheets. A method and means of packaging is also provided.

Abstract: An aquarium which includes a block shaped tank with projecting studs or posts on one face and aligned openings on an opposite face allowing the tanks to be arranged in any desired configuration by interlocking the tanks via the posts of one tank interlocking with the openings of another tank.

Abstract: A plant-growing apparatus has a plurality of rotatable plant-growing modules which can be moved between two positions, separated vertically or horizontally. Each module comprises a cylindrical structure for holding plant-growing containers in which the plants grow radially inwardly of the cylindrical structure toward a light source. The apparatus has module support means for supporting each module and rotating it in a substantially horizontal position. The apparatus has module moving means, for example sprocket driven chains, for conveying the modules between the two positions.

Abstract: A system for removing sap from a plurality of trees includes a main tube supported at least in part by a plurality of drain tubes without the use of a spinal support. The main tube as supported can negotiate a path between a plurality of trees. The drain tubes are adapted to be supported at the trees. The drain tubes are in fluid communication with the main tube for removing sap through a drain tube into the main tube.