Abstract: A brush may be mounted on a typical flap-style pet door. As the pet uses the pet door, the brush may automatically sweep dirt, loose hair, leaves, grass, allergens, or other debris off the pet. The result may be both a cleaner pet and a cleaner house, as the debris may be brushed off the pet prior to the pet entering the house. The pet owner need not be present for the brush to reap its benefits.

Abstract: A boot assembly and method that simulates, in a static equine animal (stalled or hauled), the natural mechanical action of walking or other gaited exercise. The assembly has a boot, containing a shock absorbing pad that is fitted with a separate pulsing bladder disposed on, under or inside the shock absorbing pad. Pressuring and relaxing the pulsing bladder in the bottom of the boot rhythmically pushes against the sole and frog of the equine hoof in much the same way that the hoof is exercised when the animal is moving. The pulsing action helps stimulate blood flow through the hoof and is beneficial to shod, injured, and transported horses. The assembly may be fitted on one or more hooves, and may be automated to provide timing and sequencing to simulate different gaits of the animal.

Abstract: A saddle pad cover is disclosed and may include a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being coupled to the second layer, a closure device adapted for insertion of a saddle pad, and a patch positioned on the surface of the first layer, where the saddle pad cover may sleevably receive a saddle pad to form an assembly. A method of maintaining a saddle pad cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a milking implement for automatically milking a dairy animal with an udder, such as a cow, which milking implement includes a camera and a teat cup. More particularly, the method includes attaching the teat cup to a teat of the udder, followed by producing by the camera an image of at least a part of the udder and of at least a part of the teat cup, making an analysis of the image of the udder with the teat cup, and performing at least one control action by the milking implement, based on the analysis.

Abstract: Portable apparatus and systems for pet bathing. According to one embodiment, a fully contained portable pet washing system includes one or more collapsible fluid bladders, one or more fluid tubes, a variable flow control valve, a bladder holder pack and a detachable fabric-based wash glove. The fluid tubes interface with the collapsible fluid bladders. The variable flow control valve is operable to control the dispensing of wash or rinsing fluid from the collapsible fluid bladders. The bladder holder pack is configured to be fastened as an adjustable waist belt and configured to enclose some portion of the collapsible fluid bladders. The detachable fabric-based wash glove includes at least a portion of an attachment mechanism for engaging the fluid tubes and maintaining the positioning thereof to dispense the wash or rinsing fluid at a location near a palm or finger portion of the detachable fabric-based wash glove.

Abstract: A system for milking cows including a structure for retaining cows therein. Such structure includes at least one holding area within such structure, at least one exit alley connected to and extending from a predetermined portion of such at least one holding area to at least one of a predetermined housing area, at least one additional holding area, and a combination thereof. At least one of at least one milking robot, at least one automated milking machine, and a combination thereof is disposed within such at least one holding area for automatically milking at least one predetermined cow when such at least one predetermined cow is closely adjacent a predetermined side of such at least one of such at least one milking robot, such at least one automated milking machine, and such combination thereof. A method for milking cows is also provided.

Abstract: An arrangement for fetching a teat cup from a teat cup magazine in which each teat cup has a respective fixed position includes a reference entity in a fixed spatial relationship to the teat cup magazine and each teat cup stored therein; a remote detecting element that registers wireless energy reflected by the reference entity, and based thereon determines a respective position for the teat cup relative to a robotic arm. The robotic arm carries a gripper element configured to hold the teat cup during removal thereof from the teat cup magazine. The reference entity is configured to allow the remote detecting element to receive wireless energy reflected against the reference entity while moving the robotic arm towards the least one teat cup for removing the at least teat cup from the teat cup magazine.

Abstract: A fishing line comprises an outer surface having at least one array of shaped features therein and having an advancing contact angle with deionized water of at least about 115°. The array comprises a plurality of discrete shaped features spaced equidistantly along a longitudinal axis of the fishing line. The shaped features are from about 0.005 to about 0.02 inches across in their broadest dimension.

Abstract: A frame and comb foundation and method for controlling Varroa mites in a honeybee hive. In a first embodiment the invention is comprised of half portions of the frame and comb foundation in combination with a power supply, heating element, electronic control unit (ECU), temperature sensor and an optional diagnostic system. The ECU which may be mounted on the frame and comb foundation or, in a separate enclosure is comprised of a micro-controller and other circuitry. The temperature sensor is mounted adjacent to the heating unit. The power supply may mobile or stationary, such as a battery or line current. In a second embodiment, the frame and comb foundation is interconnected with similar frame and comb foundations in multiple hives that include individual ECU's and temperature sensors and individual wireless electronic communication systems, a single power source and individual heating elements. The multiple temperature sensors are mounted adjacent to the heating elements.

Abstract: A cat claw trimming and exercise device permitting a cat to physically exercise both its legs and trim its claws simultaneously. The cat claw trimming and exercise device comprises a vertical post, a flat base, and a sandpaper cartridge. The flat base has a textured surface permitting a cat to stabilize itself using its back legs while using the device. The sandpaper cartridge is removably installable and has a cardboard tube with a hollow inner volume and a surface coating. Further, a kit is disclosed comprising: a replaceable sandpaper cartridge, a user instruction manual, and a cat claw trimming and exercise device. A method of use is also disclosed for using the present invention.

Abstract: A plant growing assembly configured to grow a plurality of plants in multiple directions above a ground surface. The assembly includes a growing container and a support structure for elevating the container above the ground surface. The container presents a generally hollow body to retain a plant-growing medium and the plurality of plants. The body extends along an axis to present opposite axial end margins and a radial peripheral wall. The wall defines a plurality of discrete plant-receiving ports extending therethrough, and disposed generally radially about the wall. A method of growing plants above ground in substantially opposite directions from one another is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, devices and compositions to preserve plants, such as cut flowers. The methods include, e.g., sealing cut stems in antimicrobial preservative media, sealing the leaves in a substantially unvented compartment and sealing the flower blossoms in a less humid vented environment. Methods include, e.g., sealing cut flower ends in a preservative liquid, sealing the majority of the stem length and leaves in a stem compartment and holding the blossoms and at least a portion of the leaves in a relatively open blossom compartment. The devices include, e.g., packaging materials and preservative to vitalize and protect uprooted plants and/or cut flowers. The compositions of the invention provide, e.g., packaging systems and preservative media which inhibit microbe growth and vitalize cut plants.

Abstract: An increase in the total grain and biomass yields and photosynthetic rates of plants grown at high densities achieved by novel methods of defoliating the primary-source leaf of a majority of such plants. In particular the methods provide for increased grain and biomass yields, including for example, increased average kernel mass for maize plants, and photosynthetic rates through the timely removal of the primary-source leaf of a majority of the plants grown at high densities. This invention also relates to seeds obtained by using the disclosed methods.

Abstract: An animal litter composition including geopolymerized ash particulates having a network of repeating aluminum-silicon units is described herein. Generally, the animal litter is made from a quantity of a pozzolanic ash mixed with a sufficient quantity of water and an alkaline activator to initiate a geopolymerization reaction that forms geopolymerized ash. After the geopolymerized ash is formed, it is dried, broken into particulates, and sieved to a desired size. These geopolymerized ash particulates are used to make a non-clumping or clumping animal litter. Odor control is accomplished with the addition of a urease inhibitor, pH buffer, an odor eliminating agent, and/or fragrance.

Abstract: A fishing lure having a bent half-moon shape body. The top portion of the fishing lure has a plurality of attachments points for hooks and lines and circular stamp resembling an eye. The bottom portion of the fishing lure is angled relative to the top portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for hanging a load from awnings, ceilings or wall brackets, for example a planter or other item to be suspended but selectively lowered. The load is suspended from a cord that is constantly urged to a wound up position on a spool held above the load. The load can be lowered by overcoming the winding force. Optionally, the load can be fixed over a range of lowered positions. In one example, a wedge clamps the cord in any of a range of extended lengths to set different heights of the load. Optionally, the spool can be enclosed. The planter easily and in a controlled manner can be lowered against the winding force with relatively little manual pulling force on the planter. But also, the planter can easily and in a controlled manner by assisted when raised by relatively little manual lifting force.

Abstract: A planter including a center post and a series of upwardly-opening disc-shaped growing compartments which are arranged in a sequential relationship along the length of the center post and are suspended from the top of the center post. Each of the growing compartments has a center opening through which the center post extends so that the growing compartments are maintained in a centered relationship about the center post. Furthermore, a lowermost growing compartment has a substantially solid bottom for containing dirt or potting soil placed therein, and the remainder of the growing compartments have bottoms within which including relatively large openings are defined to accommodate the passage of relatively large clumps of dirt or potting soil through the bottoms thereof so that each of the growing compartments can be filled with dirt or potting soil placed into the uppermost growing compartment.

Abstract: Vine plants are layered along a row of vine plants supported in growing media in a vine crop by a vine planet supporting system suspended from an overhead building structure locating the vine crop therein. The system includes a track extending in a longitudinal direction along the row of vine plants spaced above the growing media. A spool body supporting a string wound thereon is associated with each vine plant to support the vine plant extending along the string. A carrier body slidable along the track supports each spool body on the track. The spool bodies are coupled to the track such that the spool bodies are each arranged to unwind the string therefrom responsive to displacement of the spool body with the respective carrier body in the direction of the row of vine plants.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing an animal with a liquid, includes a container having an open upper end portion, opposite end walls, opposite side walls, and a bottom wall. At least one pair of ledges extends from the opposite side walls above the bottom wall. One or more platforms are each provided with widths that are shorter than the lengths of the platforms, wherein the platforms may be passed through the container to the bottom wall when the platforms are turned in one direction or supported by the pair of ledges when the platforms are turned ninety degrees. Multiple pairs of ledges may be provided for varied platform levels within the container.

Abstract: A seed germination device for use in connection with a drip irrigation system, which includes a drip irrigation emitter having a water inlet tube for connection to a water source, an emitter housing having a base and a perimeter wall that define a partially enclosed interior space, an open end, and a water outlet, and a cellulosic seed packet disposed within the enclosed interior space and over said water outlet tube. When the emitter housing is disposed on or under soil and the water turned on, the seed packet dissolves and the germination commences.