Abstract: An object of the present invention is to propose cultivation equipment that can curb complication and upsizing of the equipment even when the number of cultivation stages is increased. Cultivation equipment includes a storage shelf (1) and a plurality of cultivation tanks (3) that are stored in the storage shelf (1) and hold plants (P1) and a cultivation liquid (L1). The cultivation equipment further includes a discharge device (50) and a supply device (51). The discharge device (50) is movable among a plurality of cultivation tanks (3), and discharges the cultivation liquid (L1) from each of the plurality of cultivation tanks (3). The supply device (51) is movable among the plurality of cultivation tanks (3), and supplies the cultivation liquid (L1) to each of the plurality of cultivation tanks (3).

Abstract: An arrangement of electrodes for removing weeds by contact electrocution comprising: —a general support (1) formed by a first connection means (2) associated with the proximal end of a deformable frame (3), and a first mounting means (5); —a first electrode support (8) associated with said general support (1) by said first connection means (2); —a second electrode support (22) associated with said general support (1) by the distal end (4) of said deformable frame (3); wherein said first electrode support (8) includes a first electrode (15); and wherein said second electrode support (22) includes at least one electrode (29).

Abstract: A modular landscape border system is provided. The modular landscape border system includes a plurality of elongated members having a vertical protrusion extending along opposing lateral sides thereof. The system further includes a connector having a track within each of a first side and a second side thereof, wherein the track is dimensioned to receive the vertical protrusion therethrough. A channel extends through the connector between an upper side thereof and a lower side thereof. The channel is dimensioned to receive a securement spike therethrough, wherein the securement spike is a greater length than a height of the connector, such that a working end of the securement spike engages a ground surface when disposed through the channel.

Abstract: A tower opening apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the opening of a multi-piece, hinged, hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower opening apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, stationary wedges, longitudinal ramps, etc.) to open a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the opening apparatus, the fastener(s) holding the face plate(s) to the tower body is released by a wedge(s). After the fastener(s) is released, the face plate(s) is partially rotated about the tower body, thereby partially opening the tower cavity(s). Next a longitudinal ramp(s) continues to rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) to a fully open position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for weight measurement of grow towers and/or grow lines with grow towers disposed thereon. In various embodiments, compression type, tension type, and/or beam type load cells may be positioned at various locations within the apparatus to facilitate weight measurement. In one embodiment, a hook, which couples a grow tower to a grow line, includes a tension type load cell disposed between two portions of the hook. The load cell measures force applied thereto which can provide or be translated into a weight measurement.

Abstract: An aeroponic growing system includes a plurality of parallel vertical aeroponic growing apparatuses each having a closable loop articulated wall made up of vertical strips or panels that are pivotally attached side-by-side together with flexible joints. The motor-driven articulated wall moves on rails as an oblong-shaped carousel. The panels are provided with numerous plant-growing cups such that the growing plant extends outwardly out of the cup while the roots thereof are located inwardly of the wall. A spraying system delivers nutrients to the roots in darkness. On the external side, plants are exposed to controlled lighting provided by a programmable vertical LED system. Every growing step of the plants is optimized and supported by sensors and interactive software. The articulated wall is disengageable from its aeroponic growing apparatus to be displaced along a railing system between a grow room and other areas, and/or inverted for the roots to face outward.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to modular grow boxes for growing microgreens and other plants. The modular grow boxes generally include a first modular element having a plate and one or more walls extending therefrom to form a chamber, a second modular element having a platform for supporting a growth medium, and a third modular element that can act as a cover and/or base. The first, second, and third modular elements can be assembled in a first configuration that provides a generally enclosed area for growing plants during a germination phase. The first, second, and third modular elements can also be assembled in a second configuration that provides a partially exposed area for growing plants during a post-germination phase. In some embodiments, the modular grow boxes provide a self-contained, self-watering apparatus that is expected to simplify the process of growing microgreens and other plants.

Abstract: An apparatus for cultivating plants may include a cabinet having a cultivation space; a door that opens and closes the cultivation space; at least one bed disposed in the cultivation space and on which plants are cultivated; at least one light assembly that radiates light for photosynthesis toward the at least one bed; a water tank that stores water to be supplied to the at least one bed; a machine compartment separated from the cultivation space at a lower portion in the cabinet, that communicates with an outside of the apparatus, and that accommodates a compressor and a condenser forming a cooling cycle for controlling a temperature of the cultivation space; an air duct that connects the machine compartment and the cultivation space and guides air in the machine compartment to the cultivation space; and a return duct that connects the cultivation space and the machine compartment and guides air in the cultivation space to the machine compartment.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a pet collar that can be configured to determine its geolocational position and evaluate that position with respect to the geo-fence of a predetermined, geo-fenced “safe” zone. If the collar determines that its position is inside a safe zone but is near the geo-fence, the collar can be configured to provide a warning correction. If the collar determines that it is outside a predetermined safe zone, the collar can also be configured to provide a stronger correction to discourage the pet from continuing away from the safe zone. The collar can also be configured to guide the pet back to the safe zone such as by varying the strength and/or type of correction provided based at least in part on the distance of the collar from the geo-fence.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A recirculation duct is in fluid communication with the grow chamber and a fan assembly circulates a flow of air through the recirculation duct and the grow chamber. A gas sensing assembly includes a gas sensor positioned within the recirculation duct for detecting the concentration of a gas within the flow of air and a flow stabilization device at least partially surrounding the gas sensor for reducing pressure fluctuations in the flow of air and improving gas sensor accuracy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (3) for operating a rotary milking platform (1) to maximise the number of animals milked per unit time. The milking platform (1) is rotated about a central vertical axis (4) by a variable speed motor (6), and comprises a plurality of animal accommodating locations (5) for the animals being milked. An entry position (7) and an exit position (9) accommodate animals to and from the platform (1). A position sensor (10) monitors the angular position of the platform (1). An RFID sensor (12) reads the identity of animals entering the platform (1). Historical data relating to milking time per milking session and the milk yield per animal per session is stored in an electronic memory (17). A microprocessor (15) reads signals from flow meters (14) which monitor the milk flow from milking clusters of each animal accommodating location (5).

Abstract: This invention discloses a modular aeroponics assembly. The assembly comprises base section and a planter section atop the base section. The planter section comprises modular drawers which hold planter pods. The base section comprises a reservoir configured to hold water and nutrients. A plurality of full complete modular drawer assemblies are stacked one top the other to form a single rack assembly. A plurality of such single rack assemblies are stacked side by side to form a multi-rack assembly. Planter pods, which hold plants, are aligned along an axis which is angularly displaced, operatively outwards, about a vertical axis. Noise dampeners are provided just adjacent to each corresponding planter pod. Use of incline geometry, in conjunction with noise dampeners, substantially eliminates noise, wastage, and inefficiencies caused due to water falling upon water and/or water hitting solid.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow tower mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A hydration assembly is positioned within a root chamber and includes an upper nozzle mounted to a top wall of the root chamber, an inverted tripod mounted to the top wall of the root chamber for supporting a lower fluid conduit, a lower nozzle mounted on the lower fluid conduit proximate a bottom of the root chamber, and a valve assembly for selectively and independently regulating the flow of fluid through the upper nozzle and the lower nozzle.

Abstract: A system for providing a growth environment for a plant positioned in an automated plant growing system is disclosed. Light sources with each light source positioned in the automated plant growing system to expose the plant to the light sources and to generate light to trigger photosynthesis in the plant. A controller that monitors a growth parameters associated with the plant to determine whether the growth parameters deviate beyond a corresponding growth threshold. Each of the growth parameters provides an indicator as to a growth status of the plant and the growth status of the plant decreases when the growth parameters deviate beyond the corresponding growth threshold. The controller automatically adjusts an environmental parameter when the growth parameters deviate beyond the growth thresholds. Each of the environmental parameters impact the growth environment of the plant positioned in the automated plant growing system.

Abstract: A light device for plant cultivation is disclosed. The light device for plant cultivation includes a light source unit including multiple first light source modules and multiple second light source modules. The multiple first light source modules and the multiple second light source modules may emit light for plant cultivation toward a plant. The multiple first light source modules are arranged at constant intervals. The multiple second light source modules are disposed at least between a pair of first light source modules disposed at both ends of the light source unit.

Abstract: Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations, the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to be inserted in the controlled growth environment for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-hearing modules for re-use.

Abstract: A horticultural container for attaching to a railing, including a planter body, at least one leg extending downward from the planter body, and a connecting device. The planter body rests on top of the top rail of the railing, while the legs straddle the top rail. The connecting device attaches to each leg below the top rail, and receives balusters of the railing.

Abstract: In various representative aspects, the present invention relates generally to an improved dog collar that protects the safety of the dog and its larynx and trachea by utilizing padded and resilient cushions on the inside of the dog collar in combination with one or more elastic bands within the perimeter of the dog collar. These elements provide a means for absorbing shock forces when a dog suddenly jerks or exerts force on the dog collar when it is connected to a stationary object or its owner by a leash.

Abstract: An aeroponic grow tower is provided. The tower includes a modular wall system located between a cover and a base. The wall system includes a plurality of individual flat, four-sided wall panels. The identical wall panels are removably connected along their side edges into one or more levels having a polygonal shape. Levels are aligned and stack atop the base and each other. The wall panels have openings defining grow sites configured to support plants such that foliage extends to the outside and roots hang inside the tower. A pump delivers nutrient solution from the base to a high-rotational speed spray nozzle which aerosolizes the solution. The spray also impacts the interior surface further aerosolizing the solution. Channels direct the solution running down the interior surface to the grow sites which include secondary reservoirs to provide a further source of nutrient solution. A ventilation system and seedling covers are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for milking a milk-producing animal, in particular a cow, that set a target milk quantity which is lower than a possible expected milk quantity, carry out the milking process, determine the milked quantity and compares the milked quantity with the target milk quantity, and terminate milking when the milked quantity corresponds substantially to the target milk quantity.