Abstract: A system for handling animals includes: a movable series of modules to contain the animals; a plurality of stations at a first location in a facility, at least one station to communicate with at least one module, whereby substances may be dispensed to a module from a station and/or materials may be collected from a module by a station; a first transporter for transporting the series in a first direction and to transport a module from a second location in the facility to a first position between the first and second locations; a second transporter for transporting the series in a second direction and to transport a module from the first position to a second position nearer the stations; a source of a first motive force to move modules on the first transporter; and a source of a second motive force to move modules to the second transporter.

Abstract: A beehive comprises a main housing, a primary entrance housing that is rotatably attached to the main housing, and a rotation element for rotating the main housing about its rotational axis between vertical and horizontal positions. The main housing includes chambers for holding honey frames and brood frames. The primary entrance housing includes a primary entrance slot that allows ingress and egress of bees into and out of the primary entrance housing. A primary entrance tube connects the main housing to the primary entrance housing. The primary entrance tube provides a path of travel for bees to move between the primary entrance housing and the main housing. In this configuration, the bees may freely move from the exterior of the beehive, through the primary entrance slot into the primary entrance housing, and through the primary entrance tube into the chambers of the main housing.

Abstract: Animal head control devices, e.g., halters for horses, are disclosed. In one aspect, the disclosure features an animal head control device comprising: a body dimensioned to receive an animal's head, an adjustable member connected to the body and dimensioned to wrap around at least a portion of the animal's head behind its ears; and a releasable closure configured to secure a first end of the adjustable member to a portion of the body. In some implementations, the halters disclosed herein include a releasable closure that can be easily replaced when damaged or worn, thus extending the useful life of the halter.

Abstract: An animal restraint system which involves variable adjustability of maximum extension. A braking device with a pivoting tip which can move from a neutral position to a locked engaged position, a disengaged position, and a semi-engaged position. The semi-engaged position allows for spool rotation in the direction of retraction, while preventing spool rotation in the direction of extension. A brake lock with multiple settings including engaged position, disengaged position, and a semi-engaged position. A spool with teeth where one or more of the teeth is different from the others in shape, size or relative position to promote brake engagement efficiency. A leash maximum settings display. A moving “leash” guide which reduces tangling during extension and retraction. An adjustable handle grip to accommodate different hand sizes. A snap-on accessory attachment system. A leash dispenser system which limits full extension to reduce system failure.

Abstract: A cooling process for live salmon from breeding cages in the sea, using a cooling mixture consisting of ice and common salt in fresh water that is placed in a cooling tank mounted on a truck for the transport of the fish, wherein the process is constituted by the following steps: a) The input of the fish into the cooling tank, without transferring the seawater in which they were bred, which is at a temperature between ?0.7 to ?3.9° C. to cause their unconsciousness; and b) The transportation of the fish at this temperature to the slaughter plant. This cooling process for live salmon respects the bioethical norms for achieving the death of fish with reduced suffering after rapidly inducing unconsciousness, allowing the production of high quality products.

Abstract: A device for protecting the contents of plant containers comprising a top portion, a cut-out with a semi-circular interior portion, and a channel portion. The interior portion and channel portion are shaped to provide clearance and receive the base or stem of a plant. Embodiments of the device may include grooves and apertures to provide flexibility and drainage and the device also includes the capability to accommodate different styles and sizes of containers along with various plants and shrubs.

Abstract: A beehive for honeybees having a configuration that allows a beekeeper to inspect the hive at regular intervals with minimal disturbance to the honeybees. The bees work comb frames contained within an array of master frames. The master frames are pivotably attached to a support pole with connectors fixed to the master frames. The connectors are arranged so that the array of master frames containing the comb frames are side by side and in a rectangular cross section when the beehive is closed. The master frames can be rotated around the support pole either individually or in groups allowing inspection of the comb frames without damaging the comb frames.

Abstract: A fishing lure with a spring-loaded, adjustable diving and release apparatus built in to the diving bill that allows the elimination of the diving plane when certain release events occur that would cause a disengagement of the apparatus built into the diving bill. The events that would cause this release to occur would be, but are limited to, 1) the fisherman jerking the line to cause the release in order to retrieve the fishing lure with relative ease while trolling said fishing lure behind a moving boat, 2) a fish strike that would then create a direct line to fish connection, eliminating any pressure points the diving bill might create allowing the fish to work itself free of the hooks, and 3) striking an obstruction on the bottom of the water column that might otherwise cause the fishing lure to snag or entangle in the obstruction.

Abstract: A method of controlling pests includes placing a pest control station in an area of interest. The pest control station includes an internal chamber. The method includes placing a pest control apparatus within the internal chamber of the pest control station. The pest control apparatus has a transmitting device including an antenna and a housing sealingly enclosing the antenna. The housing substantially isolates the antenna from the environment. The method also includes activating the antenna of the transmitting device to emit an electromagnetic field to define a region of influence. The housing of the transmitting device is made from a material that reduces the region of influence of the antenna by less than 50%.

Abstract: Soil-free living roof and wall systems comprising a living layer of Bryophytes, Lichen, And Vascular Epiphytes (BLAVE) on the surface of a thin, light-weight, flexible, fire-resistant mat of mineral wool having a density in the range of about 6-12 lbs/cu ft and thickness in the range of about ?? to about ¾?. Mats are provided in modular units on the order of 2?×4?; no irrigation or growth medium is used. The mats are adhered to a roof or wall with adhesive or mastic, or may be secured with fasteners. In the preferred embodiment, modular units include flexible mineral wool mats over a base sheet of non-woven plastic fibers, on the order of from 2-4 mm thick, and a wide-mesh plastic netting over the BLAVE layer, sewn through to the base layer. Methods of mat module manufacture, innoculant mix production, installation and cultivation/propagation of BLAVE are disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent article for pets which includes: a liquid permeable top surface layer; a liquid impermeable back surface layer; and an absorbent core disposed between the top and back surface layers, the absorbent article for pets being configured in a rectangular shape with a pair of end portions facing each other and a pair of side portions facing each other orthogonal to the pair of end portions, the absorbent article for pets being configured to be worn in a state of being wrapped around a waist of a pet, the absorbent article for pets further including first and second solid gather portions that are respectively disposed on the top surface layer side of the pair of side portions and rises up from the top surface layer, in which the first solid gather portion is configured to be easier to lie outward in the width direction of the absorbent article for pets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-lethal animal trap that comprises a housing, a mechanically actuated trap door, a motion sensor, and a microprocessor controlled tripping mechanism. The trap includes a pathway having a first and second entrance and a first and second trap door. The pathway includes animal bait therein, whereabove a motion sensor detects objects and motion within the pathway such that the entrances to the pathway are closed by the trap doors. The motion sensor sends signals to the microprocessor, which in turn activates an electrical latch mechanism that releases the trap door mechanism from its set position to its closed position. Once closed, each trap door includes a brace that prevents the animal from forcibly opening the door. The animal is then trapped for later disposal or relocation. A plurality of indicator lights provides notification of the device operational state, including device standby, triggered, and trapped animal notification.

Abstract: An aquaponic method and apparatus used to raise fish in fish rearing tanks is combined with hydroponic channels for growing crops, in which fertilizer nutrients from the aquaculture effluent are utilized as fertilizer. The aquaponic method and apparatus produce a first water circulation system during the day in which water is repeatedly cycled from a sump, bypassing fish rearing tanks, to a clarifier for removing solids, a degasifier for removing volatile compound, then to the hydroponic channels, and then, back from the hydroponic channels to the sump. The aquaponic method and apparatus also produce a second circulation system during the night in which water is repeatedly cycled from the sump to the fish rearing tanks, from the fish rearing tanks to the clarifier, then from the clarifier to the hydroponic channels and then back from the hydroponic channels to the sump.

Abstract: A safety stirrup for riding an animal comprising: a first portion adapted to rest against an animal to be ridden; and a second portion adapted to support a rider's foot. The safety stirrup further comprises a biasing member adapted to bias the safety stirrup from an open configuration towards a closed configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an animal enclosure including a plurality of members defining an interior of the enclosure. One of the plurality of members includes a first member having a frame structure and door assembly formed by a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires. At least two of the horizontal wires of the frame structure form a hook positioned inside the defined opening. The door assembly is coupled to the frame and moves between an open and closed positions. The door assembly includes a first door and a second door removably coupled to one another. The enclosure also includes a latch assembly for releasing the door assembly from the frame structure. In the closed position, at least one horizontal wire of the first door and at least one horizontal wire of the second door are coupled to the hooks formed by the at least two horizontal wires of the frame structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a wall-surface flower bed structure, wherein work efficiency is better, root damage when plants are transferred is prevented, and the designability of the wall-surface flower bed is improving. This wall-surface flower bed structure (1) is provided with: a plant-holding pot (4) for holding a plant, a plurality of through holes for water passage being formed in a bottom surface and side surface thereof, and the root section of the plant being covered with a water-permeable material (3) that allows permeation of water; and a box body (2) that has an opened upper surface and has an inclined section (2a) for the placement of a plurality of the plant-holding pot (4), a water-collecting section (2b) for collecting water at the lower end side of the inclined section (2a), and a water outlet for discharging water that is not collected in the water-collecting section (2b).

Abstract: Vegetation growth apparatus, comprising substantially planar, insulative plastic sheeting formed into a stackable box shape container having side walls, the container having an interior sized to contain receptacles containing initial growth vegetation, certain of the walls having slits sized to permit roots of certain vegetation to be pushed through the slits after removal from the receptacles, and into potting material introduced into the container interior.

Abstract: A bird feeder is provided having a seed reservoir with a side wall that has at least one seed access opening and a squirrel resistant feed port assembly having a seed access restrictor. The seed access restrictor has a body with an inner opening in communication with the reservoir side wall opening and an outer seed access opening that is spaced away from the inner opening and the reservoir side wall opening while being in communication therewith. The outer seed access opening of the restrictor is small enough and the length of the body is long enough that the squirrel resistant feed port assembly allows birds to access seed in the reservoir while blocking entry of the larger facial and head structure of a squirrel, thus preventing squirrels from gaining seed access.

Abstract: A device and a method for imaging an animal including an animal holding device for keeping the animal immobile and at a desired temperature during the scanning operation for imaging the animal in real-time in a non-destructive manner.

Abstract: A milking device includes a vessel and cover plate. The vessel and the cover plate form a sealed volume that is internally divided into a collecting chamber, a vacuum chamber and an air intake chamber. The collecting chamber is arranged between the vacuum chamber and the air intake chamber. The vessel has a first internal wall that separates the collecting chamber from the air intake chamber, with a first passage between the collecting chamber and the air intake chamber arranged at the first internal wall. The vessel has a second internal wall that separates the collecting chamber from the vacuum chamber, with a second passage between the collecting chamber and the vacuum chamber arranged at the second internal wall.