Abstract: An autonomous open-ocean fish-farming structure has a submersible cage enclosure tethered to a topside buoy. The topside buoy stores feed, is equipped with radio telemetry to communicate positioning signals transmitted from external sources, and generates electrical power using, for example, a hybrid solar OTEC heat engine. The structure is navigated and maintained in a geostationary position within the ocean environment by means of position-correction technology and is propelled by thrusters attached to the cage enclosure and, optionally, to the underside of the topside buoy. The self-positioning, self-powered fish-farming structure enables unmanned, extended marine deployment in deeper ocean waters without the need for tethering or anchoring to the ocean floor. Multiple structures can be maintained in a spaced apart configuration to comprise a flotilla of fish farming structures attended by a tender ship that is autonomous, easily serviced and conveniently relocated.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system comprises a milk collecting system, a teat cup holder, and a cleansing hose system. The milk collecting system comprises a teat cup, a milk collector, and a milking hose system connecting the teat cup to the milk collector. The teat cup holder stores the teat cup of the milk collecting system such that a nozzle of the teat cup holder substantially aligns with an opening of the teat cup. The cleansing hose system connects the nozzle of the teat cup holder to one or more cleanser sources and operable to backwash at least a portion of the milk collecting system by injecting a cleanser from one or more of the cleanser sources through the nozzle and into the teat cup.

Abstract: A pet feeder has a pneumatic lifting system with a rotatably mounted feeding tray. A support structure has an end connected to a surface of a feeding tray located opposite another end connected to a retaining structure. A capturing structure is connected to a cylinder. The capturing structure has an upper capturing portion having a primary opening located opposite a lower capturing portion having a secondary opening. The upper capturing portion has a primary retaining lip and the lower capturing portion has a secondary retaining lip forming a track. The retaining structure is retained within the capturing structure. The retaining structure is configured to travel along the track of the capturing structure and to rotate the tray around the perimeter of the cylinder. The pet feeder can have audio capabilities, a programmable timer, a feeding alert system, and a removable tray.

Abstract: A holder for producing a plant of any one of lettuce, sprout and herbs, having a container and a semi-permeable filter, for defining a closed space for wholly accommodating the plant; a reservoir for holding an amount of liquid in the close space; and a passage which is open during use for supplying the liquid to the plant, wherein the reservoir, the container and the semi-permeable filter are arranged to allow the whole plant to grow in the closed space, wherein the semi-permeable filter has a vapor permeation capacity related to a type of the plant and the content of the reservoir, and wherein the amount of liquid is pre-determined corresponding to the vapor permeation capacity, such that the amount of liquid is sufficient for the plant to be isolated in the closed space from cultivation through to offering for sale.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for utilizing dual use packaging, particularly ornamental packaging containing a pet-related product as would be used with an aquarium. The ornamental container is filled with a pet-related product such as fish food. The fish food is selectively dispensed from the container until depleted. The container is then utilized as a decorative ornament in an aquarium. Ballast may be added to the ornamental container before being submerged in the aquarium. The ornamental container may resemble a lighthouse, a treasure chest, a rock sculpture, a wall block, a submarine, or a vase.

Abstract: A glove has a separate finger section, a separate palm section, and a separate thumb section. The glove has a plurality of separate substrate sheets. Each substrate sheet has top and bottom surfaces. The separate finger section and the separate thumb section and the separate palm section adhesively receive and support at least one substrate sheet. A plurality of sticks are attached to each substrate sheet. A plurality of hooks are attached to each substrate sheet. The sticks are arched and the hooks are in an inverted J-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A trolling apparatus and method of use are provided. According to one aspect, a trolling apparatus includes a frame including an upper line guide positioned toward a rear portion of the frame and operable to engage a fishing line during a release state and a lower line guide coupled to the rear portion of the frame and operable to engage the fishing line during a retained state. The apparatus further includes a line retainer operable to be coupled to a holder aft of the lower line guide and a release mechanism operable to engage a portion of the line retainer to provide the retained state and the released state. An alternative embodiment interconnects a planar elevator between the frame and a generally upstanding planar diverter. A line retainer is formed by at least two tines and preferably by at least four tines which retain by friction a fishing line or tubular fishing line holder.

Abstract: A milker unit liner dome having an inner surface and flow diverters joined to the inner surface to redirect teat dip from an inlet to provide more uniform coverage of dip on a teat. The liner dome can also include more than one flow diverter for redirecting teat dip flow.

Abstract: A system and method to induce fish anesthetizing or narcosis is described that induces a potential field across the body of a laboratory fish having a pair of electrodes, the waveform generated by this potential field is approximately balanced to reduce the introduction of anions into the solution, and a camera is mounted to observe the activity of the fish, so that the potential difference may be adjusted based on the state of the fish.

Abstract: A waterfowl hunting decoy device that can be configured for use on water or dry land. The waterfowl hunting decoy device has a buoyant body resembling a waterfowl and includes a keel on an underside surface thereof for stabilizing the decoy device while in water. The decoy device further includes a leg support having a base member resembling the underside of a waterfowl, wherein the base member can removably receive the body therein. Further, a foot member is tethered to the body and can be removably secured to the leg support in order to stabilize the decoy device on dry land. The foot member also serves as an anchor when the decoy device is used in the water. Thus, the present invention provides a decoy that can be configured to resemble a waterfowl standing on dry land or floating on water.

Abstract: An electromechanical horn having a sound generating system including a piezoelectric speaker generates a series of short, audible sound signals in a repetitive pattern, the generated sound signals having fundamental frequencies with associated harmonic component frequencies and decibel levels that fall within a frequency range of greatest hearing sensitivity of the animal to disperse or deter an aggressive animal in a non-detrimental manner. The generated sound signals have fundamental frequencies with associated harmonic component frequencies that fall within a frequency range of from about 3 kHz to about 10 kHz, and decibel levels in a range of from about 75 dB to about 115 dB (SPL) at 1 meter. The horn device can be hand-held, attached to a user's belt or clothing, or removably attached to a bicycle, motorcycle, stroller, or other conveyance or object and can be actuated while attached or quickly removed and actuated when needed.

Abstract: A system and method for treating livestock may include a ramp for containing dairy livestock and one or more mobile units configured to travel on the ramp, below the dairy livestock, and perform at least one action related to a treatment of the livestock. A mobile unit may be adapted to travel to a predefined location within a stall, and attach a milking equipment unit to a cow in the stall. A plurality of mobile units and a central management unit may be configured to dynamically cause at least some of the plurality of mobile units to each perform a portion of a treatment or task.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for loading poultry supplied in supply stations located one above another at different heights into poultry holders placed in a loading station, wherein the device is provided with a frame, a first carriage movable on the side of the supply stations in vertical direction along the frame, a second carriage movable on the side of the loading stations in vertical direction along the frame and a transport element connected to the first and the second carriage, wherein the connection between the carriages and the associated end of the transport element is configured for relative rotation, wherein the connection between the transport element and either of the carriages is configured to allow a limited relative movement in horizontal direction and the first carriage is provided with a conveyor connecting to the supply stations for carrying the poultry onto the transport element in any position of the transport element.

Abstract: A head cover for a jig fishing lure or combination jig and rotating member fishing lure is disclosed which can prevent a fish from directly contacting the hard, weighted jig head of the fishing lure. The head cover can be permanently attached to the fishing lure or it can be a separate removable member. The head cover can combine a soft, elastomeric membrane along with one or more fish-attracting elements. The head cover can also include a flat surface to orient the jig fishing lure at a different angle when resting on the bottom underwater surface.

Abstract: An apparatus that mimics the courtship or mating ritual of a tom turkey and a hen turkey. The device has a base with a rotatable spool that is wound with a cord. A hen turkey decoy is stationary on this base while the cord is pulled forcing a tom turkey mounted on a rod and connected to the spool to rotate around the hen turkey. It has been discovered that the rotation mimics the mating ritual thus attracting other dominate tom turkeys. The simulation brings the other dominate tom turkeys into a close proximately to the decoy apparatus and close enough for a hunter to capture the dominate male turkey.

Abstract: An irrigation device having a flexible container for holding water while delivering the water directly into the soil with the irrigation device having a filler neck to facilitate filling and inhibit backflow therethrough with a cap that can quickly seal the filler neck after the irrigation device is filled and a handhold useable to hold the filler neck in an elevated condition during the filling and closing of the flexible container.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally towards to embryo insertion systems and methods for use with manufactured seeds. In some embodiments, embryo insertion systems according to the disclosure include an embryo delivery assembly and a fill material deposit assembly. The embryo delivery assembly may include an insertion member, a release assistance member, and a fill material deposit assembly. The fill material deposit assembly may include a fill material containment device, a fill material conveyance device, and optionally, a fill material separation device. Further aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for operating embryo insertion systems according to embodiments of the disclosure to enable simultaneous embryo insertion and fill material delivery.

Abstract: The unit arranges plants around a media-cylinder in a vertical hydroponic configuration. The unit passes room-air over the roots of the plants, and significantly cleanses the air in a large room of contaminants. The unit is placed to receive light from e.g a window of the room. The unit includes provision for rotating the media-cylinder about a vertical axis, to ensure even illumination of all the plants around the media-cylinder.

Abstract: This invention concerns apparatus for growing plants comprising a column (100) of pots (102) stacked one above the other to define an enclosure for housing plants. Each pot (102) defines a chamber (104) for holding a plant. Separators for separating pots of the column are provided and the separators define an enclosed headspace around a top of at least two of the pots where plants project from the chamber. The chamber comprises a passageway (106) that provides a continuous flow path for air through the column (100) without requiring the air to flow through the chamber (104). This flow path includes the headspaces above the at least two of the pots (102).

Abstract: A system comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores information about a milking stall where a dairy livestock is located at a first time, and a coordinate location of the dairy livestock at a second time. The processor is communicatively coupled to the memory and determines if the coordinate location of the dairy livestock at the second time is different than the milking stall where the dairy livestock is located at the first time. If the coordinate location where the dairy livestock is located at the second time is not the milking stall, the processor generates an error flag associated with the dairy livestock.