Abstract: The invention discloses a cattle shed, comprising a cattle bedding, a feeding channel, a fixed roof, a movable roof, a feeding trough, a peripheral rail fence, and a rail fence gate, wherein the cattle bedding is provided with no dividers and needs no hardening and daily manure cleaning, which is merged with playground and enclosed. The feeding channel is hardened and higher than the cattle bedding, the fixed roof and the movable roof cover the cattle bedding and the feeding trough, the peripheral rail fence and the rail fence gate surround the cattle bedding and the feeding trough, and the fixed roof and the movable roof are arranged in a slope mode, and the movable roof can be opened to allow sunlight to enter and exchange air to form convection. The cattle shed of the present invention can reduce the construction cost, open the movable roof, effectively utilize the sunlight and the air convection, ensure a complete rain-sewage separation, and realize zero discharge of manure and sewage.

Abstract: An automatic unit for one or several beehives for commercial or recreational beekeeping including honey production and pollination services comprises: (a) a plurality of bee frames (honeycomb, brood frames and other bee frames) releasably mounted within at least one hive chamber; (b) a mechanism for removing the bee frames from the hive chamber and inserting the bee frames thereinto; (c) an automated honey harvesting arrangement; (d) an arrangement for monitoring bees conditions, analyzing obtained data and reporting results to a user; and (e) an arrangement for feeding bees, pest and climate control. The mechanism for removing and inserting the bee frames comprises a frame loader linearly displaceable along at least one hive chamber.

Abstract: A metering dispenser for pet products and other products has a container and a tunnel within the container. The tunnel has a product receiving opening near an internal wall of the container and a dispensing opening extending through an opposite wall. When the container is moved, products fall into the receiving opening, through the tunnel and out through the dispensing opening. Pet product ingestion is extended and pets learn to manipulate the container to obtain food and treats.

Abstract: A cage assembly can have at least one enclosure. Each enclosure can have a floor defining a floor area having a major dimension and a cover having a bottom surface. A spacing between the bottom surface of the cover and the floor can define a cage height. At least one sidewall can extend between the floor and the cover. A ratio of the cage height to the major dimension of the floor area of each enclosure of the at least one enclosure can be at least 0.70.

Abstract: A tip-up cover is provided that may be used during ice fishing. The tip-up cover may be set over a hole made in the ice during ice fishing to protect the hole from wind and snow. The tip-up cover may include a transparent lid such that a user can view the interior of the tip-up cover without opening the cover. Also, the lid allows a user to adjust a spool within the tip-up cover without requiring the user to completely remove the cover from the ice hole. Finally, the tip-up cover includes a flag and a bite-indicator light that provide visual cues to the user when a fish is caught on the line attached to the spool.

Abstract: A system for consistently emitting a volatile material, the system including a dispenser having at least one aperture, a substrate adapted to fit within the dispenser, and a volatile material. The substrate includes a first woven layer having a first pore size, a second woven layer having a second pore size, and a third, non-woven layer that extends between the first woven layer and the second woven layer. Further, the system has a steady state weight loss of the volatile material over a time greater than 30 days.

Abstract: A system including: a plurality of bee frames releasably mounted within at least one hive chamber; a mechanism that extracts a bee frame from a hive chamber and inserts a bee frame into a hive chamber; an imaging system that acquires an image of a frame; and a processing unit which: determines, based on processing the image, the specific content of each of a plurality of cells in the frame, and predicts a possibility of swarming based on identifying, in the image, at least one cell including a queen larva.

Abstract: A releasable securing arrangement for securing a moveable object. A hook arrangement is attached to the moveable object. A releasable connection is attached to a fixed object. A strap extends between the hook arrangement and the releasable connection. The hook arrangement is attached to a first end section of the strap. The releasable connection is attached to a second end section of the strap. The releasable connection includes first and second interlocking parts, the first interlocking part being longitudinally spaced from the second interlocking part along the strap. A foldable strap area extends between the first interlocking part and the second interlocking part to enclose the fixed object, the first and second interlocking parts meeting and interlocking at one side of the fixed object. The interlocked first and second interlocking parts separate when force applied onto the releasable connection by the moveable object exceeds a predetermined force limit.

Abstract: A pet bowl system and apparatus equipped with an immobilized base, bowls, and automated lid is described. The system employs a series of mounts to ensure that the base remains in a fixed position. The system is configured for use indoors or outdoors by conventional domesticated animals. A proximity-triggered automatic lid is present atop the base which is configured to prevent the introduction of contaminants to the contents of the bowls, as well as to prevent use of the system by unwanted animals and pests. An RFID reader is preferably disposed within the base which is configured to communicate with an RFID tag placed on the collar of the pet. The lid opens upon approach of the pet, and is closed upon departure of the pet from the system.

Abstract: An artificial beehive includes at least one artificial hive chamber for storing a bee colony and/or honey produced by a bee colony; with at least one removable frame stored in the hive chamber, the frame serving as a supporting base for the production of a honeycomb, and being removable from the hive chamber for extraction of honey from the honeycomb; and at least one cover that closes the hive chamber from an external environment. The hive chamber includes at least one interior surface having grooves extending therealong, the grooves having a depth of between about 1 mm and about 6 mm, and arranged in a predetermined and repeatable pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for identifying an animal comprising an image recording device for recording images of an animal located in proximity to the device, a database, in which database reference images of typical procedures of approach of the first animal are stored, wherein a degree of matching between the images and the reference images and/or between features of the images and features of the reference images is determined and wherein, depending on the degree of matching, a drive for opening a door is actuated and/or a signalling unit for issuing an alert tone or a signalling unit for issuing a luring sound is activated and/or an issuing unit for issuing feed is activated via a control device.

Abstract: An inverse stirrup for use in horseback riding that a horseback rider contacts with the top of the rider's foot to resist upward or transverse force and maintain position on the horse. The inverse stirrup is attached to the horse by means of a circumferential or semi-circumferential strap such as the girth strap passing beneath the horse such that the inverse stirrup resists displacement upward.

Abstract: A projection is provided on a side barrier of a cubicle or stall for a bovine animal, the projection being positioned at the open end of the cubicle through which the animal enters the cubicle. The projection defines a region of reduced opening width which forces the animal to straighten its entry into the cubicle, thereby promoting a straight lying position without reducing the lying area available for the animal within the cubicle. A straight lying position encourages the animal's waste to be deposited away from the animal's bed into a waste channel in the passageway outside the cubicle. Preferably a pair of projections are provided, extending towards one another from the opposed side barriers, such that the reduced opening width region is centered within the overall opening width. The projection is preferably provided as an accessory which can be mounted on the rails of an existing cubicle.

Abstract: The application discloses an automatic feeding device for poultry. The automatic feeding device poultry comprises a holding barrel and a feeding port; the holding barrel is provided with an accommodating cavity capable of being used for accommodating feedstuff, and a side surface of the holding barrel is provided with an installing hole, the installing hole is communicated with the accommodating cavity; the feeding port is installed in the installing hole, an input end of the feeding port faces downwards and hangs in the accommodating cavity, and an output end of the feeding port extends outwards out of the holding barrel. By arranging the feeding port, the feedstuff is injected into the accommodating cavity and is automatically squeezed to the output end under the action of gravity when in use, so that the feedstuff is eaten by poultry, and does not need to be scattered on the ground.

Abstract: An ice fishing rod holding device is an automatic fishing device having a U-shaped base, a fishing rod perpendicularly secured adjacent a base end opposite a U-shaped base cutout, and a pin assembly which retains the rod in a horizontal position until a fish strikes a bait secured to the end of the rod by a length of fishing line. Secured at the base of the rod is a flexible spring. Secured at the distal end of the rod are a pair of spheres. The device may emit an audible alarm when activated.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for automated beehive control and management. Information related to a content of a beehive is acquired by at least one sensor. The information from the at least one sensor is received and analyzed to determine at least one attribute of at least one substance monitored in the content. Based on the at least one attribute, at least one actuator of the beehive is instructed to maneuver at least one mechanical component affecting at least a portion of an internal environment of the beehive.

Abstract: The present application discloses a self-watering pot base comprises a pot base, a lid and at least one absorbent. The lid is removably coupled to the pot to form an accommodation space, the lid comprises at least one leaking hole and at least one absorbent hole. The at least one absorbent passes through the at least one absorbent hole to reach the accommodation space. A method of using the aforementioned self-watering pot base is also disclosed, comprising coupling the lid and the pot base; and locating a fabric pot onto the lid.

Abstract: A pivotal ice fishing hole cover selectively covers a hole in an ice layer over a body of water, while permitting an ice fishing line to pass through and into the water. A ring rests adjacent to and circumscribes the ice fishing opening. A pair of hinges are affixed between the ring and a pair of pivotal lid portions, allowing the lid portions to pivot between a first closed configuration parallel to the ice that blocks the ice fishing opening and a second open configuration that allows access thereto. An ice fishing line opening between the pair of pivotal lid portions remains unobstructed regardless of wether the pivotal lid portions are closed or open. The closure is spring loaded, and with the push of a button will release from the lid, thereby allowing the spring hinges to pivot the lid from closed to open position.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an aquatic farming system (200) comprising one or more stacked levels of an array of one or more aquatic farming modules (100). Each aquatic farming module (100) comprises an intermodal container (102) comprising a pair of opposing side walls (104) and a pair of opposing end entrances (106), and a housing structure (110) disposed in the intermodal container (102) and extending between the side walls (104) thereof. The aquatic farming module (100) further comprises a set of access doors (130) disposed at one or both end entrances (106) of the intermodal container (100), the access doors (130) actuatable planarly for selectively opening/closing the respective end entrances (106). Selective opening/closing of the end entrances (106) of the intermodal containers (102) in each stacked level facilitates user accessibility to the housing structures (110) in said stacked level for farming aquatic organisms.

Abstract: A fishing rod has a rod portion and a handle portion separated by a reel seat. At least one portion defines a magnet receiving area, which may be external or within a hollow portion that is surrounded by a wall and that is located in the rod portion, the reel seat portion, or in the handle portion for receiving a spacer piece. The spacer piece may be cylindrical shaped and made of foam. The spacer piece defines a receiving cavity for receiving a magnet. In one embodiment, the receiving cavity is asymmetrically oriented in the spacer piece such that the receiving cavity has a close side that is a first distance from the wall and has a far side that is a second distance from the wall for locating an area of best magnetic attraction at a predetermined location on an exterior of the rod portion or handle portion.