Abstract: A pet mind toy is disclosed. The pet mind toy comprise a plurality of sides detachably coupled to each other via a plurality of edges. At least four slots carved into the first side. At least two locking doors are configured with locking means. At least one flap door for the least one slot, openable at one or more angles. At least one knob door configured with one or more panels. A second side of the plurality of sides comprise a plurality of levels, a plurality of openings and a flap. A third side having a rod coupled with one or more popsicles. A fourth side of the plurality of sides affixed with a treat retrieval roller toy. A shaft integrated within the fourth side and a roller attached with the shaft. A fifth side of the plurality of sides configured with an opening for storing one or more objects.

Abstract: One variation of a method includes: accessing a video feed recorded at a training apparatus configured to dispense primary reinforcer units; dispensing a first primary reinforcer unit toward a first location; in response to detecting the animal at the first location, dispensing a second primary reinforcer unit toward a second location intersecting a pathway extending from the first location; in response to detecting movement of the animal along the pathway, collecting a timeseries of position data representing changes in position of a set of anatomical features of the animal; based on the timeseries of position data, deriving a movement profile representing movement of the animal along the pathway; based on a difference between the movement profile and a baseline movement profile defined for the animal, interpreting an abnormality and predicting a causal pathway for the abnormality; and selecting a mitigation protocol based on the causal pathway.

Abstract: A toy is disclosed. The toy can comprise a pet toy ball with one or more holes that can be optionally coupled to one or more corresponding channels within the toy. The pet toy ball can be made of a durable material such as silicone rubber, or foam. The pet toy ball can be made of a material that enables the pet toy ball to bounce. The one or more holes can include a rounded or beveled transition from the periphery (or exterior) of the toy to an interior surface of a hole. The pet toy ball can be made of a material that is chew resistant, i.e., a material that reduces potential for the toy to be torn by a pet chewing on the pet toy ball. The one or more holes when connected to channels permit air to pass into the mouth of a pet.

Abstract: A device and method for growing plants from seed, seedling, clone, root stock or young plant without the use of synthetic or natural fibers or fibrous media. The device comprises flexible non-fibrous structures that support the seed, plant or root stock during growth, while also establishing a delineation between the root zone and shoot zone of the plant. The structure of the device allows water supplied to either the root zone side or the shoot zone side of the device to wick around the seeds and roots and is constructed with spacing and angles such that water applied to either side is directed only to drain toward the root zone side of the device.

Abstract: A component fixing tool and a component fixing method, which fix a fishing rod component to a rod body, are provided. The component fixing tool includes a wrapping portion which wraps an attachment foot of the component and the rod body and is composed of a single twist yarn. The single twist yarn is wound around the attachment foot and the rod body by a multiple number of winding turns in a state of being stretched by a tension force. A one-turn wound portion and another one-turn wound portion of the single twist yarn form an angle with respect to each other. Two adjacent one-turn wound portions of the single twist yarn are at least partially overlapped with each other. A flat outer surface portion of the wrapping portion is partially defined by outer surfaces of the two adjacent one-turn wound portions of the single twist yarn.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a body portion and a sliding portion. The body portion has a curved top portion with an inwardly extending arcuate side portion. The sliding portion is attached to a bottom surface of the body portion and is formed from rigid plastic so as to have a reduced coefficient of friction with a surface on which the pet toy is to slide.

Abstract: A system for decontaminating/neutralizing breathable air and surfaces in an occupied enclosed space, i.e., agricultural greenhouse, includes mounting an atmospheric hydroxyl radical generator along an inside surface of the atmospheric hydroxyl radical generator having respective opposite air inlets and air outlets. The hydroxyl radical generator includes a polygonal housing supporting a plurality of spaced crystal-spliced UV optics, which are tubular, medical grade pure quartz optics to emit/irradiate ultraviolet in the nanometer wavelength/ultraviolet spectrum of between 100 and 400 nanometers for deactivating and neutralizing atmospheric chemicals and pathogens in breathable air and surfaces. The hydroxyl radicals contact the walls of the reaction chamber housing. The hydroxyl radicals become created and excited to react quickly with impurities including VOC, virus, bacteria and fungi, rendering them inactivated and neutral.

Abstract: A device for containment and release of items therein, such as a device configured for engagement with one or more pets, such as dogs. The disclosure also relates to methods of using the device to release items for the entertainment and engagement of pet(s). In one embodiment, a device for containing and releasing items therein comprises: a body defining an inner chamber and at least one closable opening; and a pull element attached to the body, the pull element being configured to open the opening of the body when a pull force is exerted on the pull element.

Abstract: Crop input application systems, methods and apparatus are provided. In some embodiments, an irrigation system is provided with a reel in fluid communication with a liquid source. In some embodiments, a drop assembly is incorporated in an irrigation system. In some embodiments, a crop applicator system includes a reel positioned between adjacent rows of crop.

Abstract: A photon source for promoting the growth and maturation rate of members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms comprises a new luminous power source that provides the full range of light spectra by mimicking sunlight in a sunfleck (dappled) pattern by exciting xenon gas inside of an enclosed glass tube in instantaneous pulsed sequences. The micro-dose pulse penetrates the leaf strata to reach the maximum amount of photon processing pigments, provides the energy required for growth by enhancing photosynthetic plant functions, and significantly reducing production energy consumption. The pulse also allows the plant or Protista's photon processing compounds to process the photosynthesis reaction before the next flash, which allows for optimal use of the energy provided. The pulsed lighting sequences reduce energy consumption by up to 90%, and this makes it an excellent application for solar, wind or other green energy power thus reducing carbon footprint and making it the future of the CEA industry.

Abstract: A health and safety system and method are described for use on equines, canines and felines, in order to obtain data on vital life-sustaining or life-threatening processes and signs directly from the animal. The vital life-sustaining and/or life-threatening processes and/or signs in the form of data are communicated from the animal to a site remote from the equine, canine and feline. The remotely communicated data can be archived and/or communicated to a veterinarian/owner/steward/ or other designate, to induce human intervention. Other sensors of the health and safety system can read/report environmental conditions, such as weather, or report other environmental conditions, such as smoke/pollution remote from, and/or proximate the animal. A position locator, such as a GPS, may also be built into the equine health and safety system.

Abstract: A multicomponent granular absorbent blend formed of at least a plurality of components with at least one of the components formed of smectite-containing, preferably bentonite-containing, absorbent granules, and at least one other of its components formed of absorbent granules comprised of an extrudate. Such an extruded-containing absorbent granule component can be a component formed of extruded pellets covered with an outer absorbent coating preferably composed of smectite, more preferably bentonite, and/or can be a component formed of extruded pellets used without any such smectite, preferably bentonite, outer coating producing uncoated absorbent granules which also are dust-adhering thereby reducing airborne dust in the multicomponent blend. Such a component composed of uncoated dust-adhering absorbent granules can be formed of extruded splayed pellets having at least one lobe and/or fibrillated tendrils enhancing both absorption and dust pickup in the multicomponent blend.

Abstract: This application discloses smart cat teasing unicycle, which at least includes a spherical body, a drive assembly, and an annular part. The spherical body is situated within the annular part and contains an installation space. The drive assembly is mounted on the spherical body and is located within the installation space, featuring a rotating shaft. The annular part has two contact ends with the spherical body. One contact end of the annular part is rotatably connected to the spherical body, while the other contact end is drivingly connected to the rotating shaft. The line connecting the two contact ends coincides with the axis of the rotating shaft, and this line passes through the center of the spherical body. This application can enhance the duration and interest of pet playtime.

Abstract: A recirculating, animal watering system has an upright reservoir with a tubular sidewall extending between upper and lower end caps. The sidewall has an open mouth nearer the upper end cap. Thus the reservoir below the mouth serves as a water supply pool. A water supply conduit extends vertically from a lower communication port submerged in the water supply pool and at least one fountain discharge outlet arranged in the reservoir above or at the level of the mouth. An air supply line is included and extends between a source of pressurized air and a submerged air injection site into the water supply conduit. Given the foregoing, a small steady stream of air lifts water from the water supply pool, up the water supply conduit by plug or slug flow and out through the at least one fountain discharge outlet to trickle or drizzle back into the water supply pool.

Abstract: An adjustable animal vest and methods of using same, the vest including an attachment panel for placement between a neck and a waist of an underside of an animal, a first fastening panel for placement on a first lateral side of the animal, a second fastening panel for placement on a second lateral side of the animal, a first cover panel for placement over the first fastening panel on the first lateral side of the animal, and a second cover panel for placement over the second fastening panel on the second lateral side of the animal. Upon proper panel placement on the animal, complementary attachment features located on inner and outer surfaces of the panels are fastened to each other to form the adjustable animal vest assembly.

Abstract: A rollable ball toy is provided, which includes a rollable ball shell, a driving component, and a support connector; the support connector can be deformed and fastened on two sides of a ball center of the rollable ball shell; the driving component is provided in the rollable ball shell. A driving device has only one driving output end, and the other end is provided with the shaft cavity configured to install manually operated components such as a control button and a charging dock, rendering the structure compact and reasonable, easy to operate, and improving waterproof and dustproof performance, while avoiding accidental contact and damage caused by collisions. The rollable ball has a quick detachable support connector. Most components are detachably connected and can be replaced with other parts, with strong interchangeability, long service life, and cost-effectiveness.

Abstract: An electronic rodent trap and monitoring method is provided. Each trap has at least one entrance, and preferably two entrances in opposed relationship to create a longitudinal tunnel, with a pair of lower plates extending longitudinally and oriented in spaced substantially parallel relationship, and a triggering element, such as a third plate, positioned above the lower plates, and preferably adjacent the ceiling of the trap on a center baffle that also shields a bait cup. The trap is activated when the rodent, with its left and right feet on the parallel lower plates, which are preferably raised above the floor, contacts the triggering element on the center baffle. The trap is preferably modular in design with an electronics module and a tunnel module removably secured within and protected by an outer housing. The trap also has improved features for more accurate remote monitoring of rodent dispatch and kill verification.

Abstract: A change of state of weed seeds to having reduced germination viability in under one minute by illuminating a seed with at least one of 2 J/cm2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm2 irradiance, but no more than 7 W/cm2 average irradiance, of at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID), and infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation, preferably 2-8 microns. The MWIR radiation from heated borosilicate glass or glass powder at just under 500 C offered a peak MWIR emission of 3.75 microns was unexpectedly effective, and can be used in a radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator transport belt. The process can be incorporated into a harvester combine to convert a tailings flow prior to discharge on an agricultural field. An illuminated harvest combine using an illuminator according to the invention allows reduction of the weed seed bank.

Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to an improvement on the exercise ball for rodents and other small animals that are kept as pets. The invention is a spherical enclosure that allows the pet to experience freedom of movement in a safe environment. This polymer plastic sphere allows small rodents to exercise while maintaining rodent health and providing improved ergonomics for the user. The ball consists of multiple parts: a bottom hemisphere, a top hemisphere and a door.

Abstract: Provided are a cultivation assisting device and a cultivation assisting method which are capable of assisting cultivators in cultivating crops using nanobubble water effectively. In order to assist cultivation of crops using nanobubble water, first information relating to a nanobubble water use condition is acquired for each cultivator cultivating a crop and second information relating to the result of cultivation is acquired for each cultivator; from the first information and second information of each cultivator, the correlation between the use condition and the result is determined; a selection of a result is accepted; and a use condition based on the selected result is derived on the basis of the correlation.