Abstract: An autonomous vehicle apparatus and method for performing pruning operations on a plant being cultivated in a container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wheeled chassis operably configured to autonomously navigate to a location of the container within a workspace. The apparatus also includes a plant support operable to receive and secure the container in an upright condition with respect to a vertical axis extending generally vertically through the container and the plant. The apparatus further includes a manipulator mounted to the vehicle and operable to grasp and load the container onto the plant support, and a pruning tool mounted on the vehicle and disposed to prune the plant while causing rotational movement of at least one of the pruning tool and the container about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A disposable and multiconfigurational animal habitat for obtaining physiological measurements of a small mammal is provided. The habitat includes a disposable and vertically oriented tower having a top, middle, and a bottom section. The tower includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is sized, shaped, and configured to house the small mammal and is disposed in the top section of the tower. A first instrumentation platform is disposed in the first chamber and configured to support the small mammal. The second chamber is also sized, shaped, and configured to house the small mammal and disposed underneath the first instrumentation platform. A second instrumentation platform disposed in the second chamber and configured to support the small mammal. The habitat can be assembled from a kit comprising sheet of foldable disposable material having cut-outs and fold lines that can be folded to form the tower of the habitat.

Abstract: Provided herein are methodology and composition for use of any nut (such as almond, walnut, or pistachio) or legume (peanut) shell and/or husk material in a growing substrate, with or without other components such as peat, perlite, or coir; for plant growth, whether it be used in its whole form or some reduced form such as, having been chipped or ground, and whether composted or not.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a growing medium and method of making said growing medium is shown and described. This medium may include at least a first and second component such that at least one of the first or second component is coconut coir and the other of the at least first or second component is a wood fiber. In one embodiment, the at least first and second component are combined and then compressed via heat and pressure resulting in a finished medium for an end user.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a climbing apparatus for pet training and exercise. The climbing apparatus for exercising or training pets may include, for example, a first ramp directly coupled to a second ramp at a coupling point located at a peak of a hill, the first ramp and the second ramp having an angle of incline that is substantially similar, thereby forming a substantially symmetrical and triangular structure. The first ramp and the second ramp can include supports projecting from a surface of the first ramp and the second ramp to facilitate navigation of a path that comprises an incline of the first ramp and a decline of the second ramp. In addition, the supports can render the apparatus free-standing and portable.

Abstract: A remote canine training devices includes: a speaker including a speaker controller and an antennas in electronic communication with the speaker controller; a remote including a controller, one or more memory modules in electronic communication with the controller, an antenna in electronic communication with the controller, a user input module in electronic communication with the controller for receiving handler commands, and computer readable instructions stored on the one or more memory modules and executable by the controller to transmit a command to the collar based on user input received on the user input module. When a user input is received on the user input module, the remote transmits a command stored on the one or more memory modules to the speaker and the speaker emits an audible command adjacent a canine wearing the speaker corresponding to the user input received on the remote.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a freestanding and portable climbing apparatus for pet training and exercise. A climbing apparatus includes a rectangular-shaped platform having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of corners. Posts having top ends are coupled to a respective one of the corners of the rectangular-shaped platform that raise the rectangular-shaped platform from a ground surface. A first ramp and a second ramp are coupled to ends of the rectangular-shaped platform. A first platform foot is coupled to bottom ends of the first post and the second post, and a second platform foot is coupled to bottom ends of the third post and the fourth post. Ramp sides are positioned along and protrude above a first side of the first ramp, a second side of the first ramp, a first side of the second ramp, and a second side of the second ramp.

Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting the growth of unwanted plants at and about the base of trees, shrubs, and other ornamental and/or commercial plants; while providing protection to the trunk, stalk, root crown, and/or plant roots from damage inherently caused by mulching material itself, and from damage caused landscaping or cultivation techniques, while promoting the oxygenation of the plant, and additionally avoiding and/or treating pathogen infection or infestation of the plant.

Abstract: A pet grooming station includes an electrically actuated separable coupler mechanically coupled between a tether point and a lead to a collar or a noose. At least one wired or wirelessly coupled pressure sensitive mat is adapted to sense a presence of a person or an animal on the at least one pressure sensitive mat. The electrically actuated separable coupler is in a coupled state when the pressure sensitive mat senses the presence of the person standing on the mat. Or, when the person is no longer standing on the mat, the electrically actuated separable coupler separates. The electronic controls of the station can be programmed to provide a predetermined or selectable time delay in a range of about 0 to 2 seconds before causing the electrically actuate separable coupler to separate. An upgrade kit or modification kit for existing pet grooming stations is also described.

Abstract: An assembly line grow system for measuring growth of a plant, includes a rail system, carts moving along the rail system and carrying plants, seeds, or both, weight sensors, a proximity sensor, a camera and a master controller. The master controller is communicatively coupled to the carts, the weight sensors, the proximity sensor, and the camera. The master controller is operable to receive information from the weight sensors, the proximity sensor, and the camera, determine a growth state of a selected plant based on the information indicative of weight, color, height, or a combination thereof, and control a dosage supply component to provide a modified dosage based on the growth state.

Abstract: The pet feeder composed of a shell, a fodder pot set on one side of the shell and a fodder vessel set inside the shell; a feed inlet is set on the top of the fodder vessel and the first outlet is set on the bottom thereof; a mounting base is also set inside the shell, a driving mechanism, a driving medium and a micro switch are set on the mounting base, the driving mechanism drives the driving medium to rotate, and the driving medium triggers the micro switch once after rotating at a certain angle; the driving medium is provided with the rotation shaft connected with and driven itself, and many even-distributed vanes are set on the rotation shaft; bolt-jointed blanking pot is set on the bottom of fodder vessel, the rotation shaft passes through the blanking pot, and many vanes divide the blanking pot into many blanking grooves.

Abstract: A bed for an animal includes a cover/body and a pad/padding material within the cover/body. In a preferred embodiment, the cover/body includes a marine-grade vinyl material. Further, the padding includes a polyethylene terephthalate material and a durable foam material. Preferably, the padding includes three layers: two layers of polyethylene terephthalate material and one layer of durable foam material sandwiched therebetween. The bed for an animal is useful for providing a bed for the animal that is aesthetically pleasing and easily cleanable. In the preferred embodiment, the animal may be a dog.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a grow pod are provided herein. One embodiment of a system includes a cart that moves on a track of the grow pod, where the cart receives a seed for growing into a plant. The system may also include a human-machine interface (HMI) that is coupled to the grow pod and a pod computing device coupled to the HMI. The pod computing device stores logic that, when executed by the pod computing device, causes the system to receive a grow recipe for the seed in the cart, wherein the grow recipe includes actuation of at least one environmental affecter and provide a user option to alter functionality of the grow recipe. In some embodiments, the logic may also cause the system to receive a user selection of the user option and in response to receiving the user selection, alter functionality of the grow recipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining information about a farm animal, wherein a device (a) is attached to the head region of an animal, said device containing at least one acceleration sensor by means of which recurring acceleration data is measured, wherein the acceleration data is evaluated using automatic data processing means, and, as an outcome of the evaluation, is indicative of the activities and/or conditions of the animal. The acquired acceleration data is evaluated in order to detect the swallowing processes carried out by the animal.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for quickly, easily and accurately removing flowers or buds from a plant stem in a single step by using a device that is a cover or partial cover for a bucket or container that can be attached and removed from the bucket or container, and the device further providing one or more substantially rigid grooves or shaped edges and pressing an herb or stem of herbs or plants firmly into and against the one or more grooves or shaped edges utilizing a method according to the invention to permit stripping or removing the flower(s) or bud(s) that are attached to the plant or herb stem in a single step. In a preferred aspect, the invention provides such devices and methods that include a device having a plurality of grooves or shaped edges that can efficiently catch and strip buds or flowers from herbs or plants.

Abstract: A method for making a dyed mulch composition or a dyed growing medium, the method comprising combining tree bark including one or more pigments and/or pigment precursors and wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition at a temperature greater than about 149° C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks, the refiner separating the tree bark and wood components into fibers and separating the fibers from each other; and dyeing the wood components by the one or more pigments and/or pigment precursors while the tree bark and the wood components are being separated into fibers in the refiner to obtain dyed fibers.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing system having multiple growing units, wherein each growing unit includes a container for a plant. The growing units are linked through a water recirculation system. The water recirculation system includes a sprayer located on an upper, inner portion of the growing unit above a water level. Water is sprayed downward onto the water surface and plants creating increased levels of oxygen for optimal growth. Each growing unit is connected to a water return channel that directs water to a water pump to circulate water throughout the system via a pressurized manifold system. Sprayers are connected to the manifold for introducing water into the growing unit. The system delivers limitless oxygen to roots and can produce healthy plants with fewer nutrients than conventional systems. The system provides increased oxygen levels such that plant life can thrive, even in less than optimal conditions.

Abstract: A shell with a controllable indoor climate. The shell may house plants, such as produce, for farming purposes. The shell may be made of scalable structurally insulated panels. Within the shell may be trays for facilitating the growth of the plants. Lighting, climate, and nutrients may be controlled for the proper growth of the plants.

Abstract: A poultry house sprinkler system comprises a temperature sensor for obtaining a temperature value based on a temperature of a poultry house, a controller in communication with the temperature sensor, an input/output module in communication with the controller, a valve in communication with the input/output module and connected to the fluid source for receiving a fluid, and at least one sprinkler nozzle connected to the valve for receiving the fluid from the valve and distributing the fluid in the poultry house when the valve is in an open position. The controller is configured to receive the temperature value from the temperature sensor, compare the temperature value to a threshold value, and instruct the input/out module to set the valve in the open position when the temperature value is above the threshold value, maintain the valve in the open position for a cooling interval duration, and subsequently set the valve in a closed position at the end of the cooling interval duration.

Abstract: An egg incubator having a base assembly, a window, and a lid assembly. The base assembly includes a base tray configured to support a plurality of eggs, and a first water trough beneath the base tray and configured to retain a quantity of water. The window is removably coupled to the base assembly. The lid assembly is coupled to the window. The base assembly, window, and the lid assembly enclose a main incubation chamber sized to hold a plurality of eggs therein. The lid assembly includes a heating element configured to heat the main incubation chamber to a desired temperature, and a circulating fan configured to generate an airflow over the heating element.