Abstract: A dog bone carrier adapted for receiving and holding various sizes of hollow dog bones, that allows for chewing satisfaction for the animal, while protecting household surfaces for the owner. The carrier includes an elongated shaft having opposite ends attached to first and second end piece balls. The shaft has a length greater than the length of the dog bone for providing a chewing space. A chewing space allows the dog to engage the side of one end of the bone with his or her mouth and also allows space for additional chews. The diameter of the shaft is less than an interior diameter of the hollow bone to allow the dog bone to slide back and forth on the shaft. This difference in diameters forms a treat space. The diameter of the first and second balls is greater than an exterior diameter or width of the dog bone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a grain germinating system comprising a temperature controlling device, an incubation device, a drying device and a monitoring device. The temperature controlling device comprises a heat pump module, an air conditioning module and a piping module. The heat pump module can output a high or low temperature heat exchanging liquid. The temperature of a culture medium of a grain is adjusted by the incubation device. The incubated grain is dried by the drying device. The air conditioning module is for a plant building. The piping module is connected with the heat pump module, and is provided for the high or low temperature heat exchanging liquid to flow. The incubation device and the drying device are heated by the high temperature heat exchanging liquid. The drying device is cooled by the low temperature heat exchanging liquid provided for the air condition of the plant building to use.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a device (1) for accommodating plant material (4), such as in particular seed, but also a cutting, a seedling or other plant material. The device (1) comprises at least one holder (2) in which at least the plant material (4), and possibly herein a substrate material (5), can be placed, and the bottom of which is substantially open and can be closed with a closing element (6).

Abstract: A humane repeating animal trap having multiple points of entry hiding the contents of the trap from view while permitting selective viewing of the contents without opening the trap and indicators signaling not only the presence of animals within the trap, but also which of multiple points of entry were used by the animals to enter the trap.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking the health of a group of livestock. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vital signs of a small number of sentinel animals is tracked and used to assess the existence and/or progress of a disease in the group. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vital signs are assessed using a vitality sensor, for example, an accelerometer which provides signals indicating the type and/or other properties of movements made by the sentinel animals.

Abstract: Compositions and methods that relate to a biopolymer medium for growing plants. In certain embodiments, the biopolymer growth medium comprises or consists essentially of polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) or a mixture of them. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a biopolymer growth medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biological optimization systems for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and methods of use.

Abstract: A fishing lure with changeable appearance may comprise a lure body having an exterior surface, and a midline plane extending through the lure body and bisecting the lure body into two lateral sections. The lure may also comprise a cover assembly removably covering at least a portion of the lure body. The cover assembly may comprise at least two parts being configured to cover a portion of the exterior surface of the lure body when the cover assembly is in a mounted condition. The at least two parts may be separable from the lure body when the cover assembly is in a dismounted condition.

Abstract: A dynamically rigged load distributing system for an equestrian saddle including several load-bearing sections positioned upon flexible inner side panels to be incorporated in the saddle. Several line guides are fixed respectively to the sections. One or more load distribution lines pass through the guides, and loop around free-running pulleys of the stirrup hanger system. A new stirrup hanger bat includes cliverter pulleys and cooperates with a pulley block to transfer loads through the load-distribution lines to the load-bearing sections around the saddle. A girthing system for the saddle includes webbing attached to the sections so as to depend therefrom and receive ends of girth straps whereby load is transferred to the sections on each side of the saddle.

Abstract: A method for hydroponical aeration of plants may include supplying, via an air pump, oxygenated air to a plant within a section of a plant vase that is part of a plant vessel. The section includes roots of the plant submerged in water. The method may further include evenly distributing, via an air diffuser, the oxygenated air to the roots of the plant to facilitate hydroponic growth of the plant.

Abstract: A milking arrangement for animals includes rotary platform (2), a driving mechanism (12) adapted to provide a rotary motion of the platform (2), milking stalls (3) adapted to house the animals (1) to be milked on the platform (2), a blocking system (11, 20, 25) for blocking selected milking stalls (3) on the platform (1) temporarily such that the animals (1) do not have access to the blocked milking stalls (3) during a period of time and the remaining non-blocked milking stalls will be used more frequently.

Abstract: A saltwater fishing assembly including a body resembling a forage fish. The body includes a quick connect device that is swivelable relative to a fishing line and is reelable to a fishing rod tip. A quick connection subassembly is connectable to the quick connect device of the body and includes a hook and is releasable with a hooked fish. Methods of using the fishing assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A cat litter box having a side wall defining an interior and a bottom surface within the interior formed from a main door and multiple secondary doors which form on opening. Each door includes a slat connected below the slatted edge on an underside thereof traveling most of a length of the slatted edge, and the doors are hingedly attached to the side wall of the housing. Provided is a means for manipulating the main door upwards and downwards such that the main free edge can be pushed against the slat of an adjacent one of the secondary doors to provide a downward force against each the secondary door to reveal the opening. In this manner, any contained soiled litter can periodically be dumped and the contents removed, resulting in an easy-to-use, sanitary cat litter box system.

Abstract: An on-demand animal feed apparatus is provided comprising a receiving chamber, base tube and actuator. The receiving chamber comprises an upper section to connect to a feed supply, a lower section, and an intermediate section disposed between the upper and lower sections. A base tube is connected to the lower section of the receiving chamber and cooperates with the receiving chamber to define the feed reservoir. A lower portion of the base tube defines a discharge opening for dispensing animal feed. An actuator is disposed at least partially within the base tube and is configured to raise and lower in an axial direction in response to movement by an animal, thereby allowing the transfer of animal feed from the feed reservoir through the discharge opening. The lower section of the receiving chamber defines a relief area for the temporary displacement of animal feed when the actuator is raised or lowered.

Abstract: A fish hook includes a wire strand resilient bait guard. The bait guard includes a pair of hook-shaped attachment portions that engage the eyelet of the fish hook. A collar with ends having interdigitating teeth securely clamps the attachment portion of the bait guard to the shank of the fish hook. The clamped attachment portion includes four parallel segments of wire. This manner of attachment facilitates manufacturing and resists dislodgement.

Abstract: A pot including a sump and water wick assembly for providing water to a plant supported within the pot is disclosed. The sump includes an inner diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the pot. The sump is disposed about an outer perimeter of the pot and includes the water wick that extends into the pot and soil supporting a plant. The pot assembly includes an edge with a curved surface to provide desired appearance that nests within corresponding features of a second identical pot to aid in stacking many example pots for shipment and display.

Abstract: An herbicide delivery device comprises a cane-type structure that applies herbicide directly to unwanted foliage, comprising an ergonomic handle at a top end and a dauber mechanism at a bottom end further comprising a rotating spherical foam rubber applicator. An interior of the cane structure houses a replaceable vessel of liquid herbicide. The dauber mechanism can be removed to access and refill the tube. The dauber dispenses a small amount of herbicide as the applicator is pressed against a surface. In use, the user walks around an outside area and directly places the foam rubber applicator against foliage to dispense the herbicide without endangering any nearby plant life. A protective cap is attached over the dauber mechanism when not in use.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a plant is described. The apparatus includes a first substantially horizontal member that engages a first surface of a structure at a first vertical position. A second substantially horizontal member engages a second surface of the structure at a second vertical position that is lower than the first vertical position. The first surface is opposite to the second surface. A frame is coupled to the second substantially horizontal member and is shaped to support a pot containing the plant. The weight of the supported plant urges the first substantially horizontal member against the first surface of the structure and urges the second substantially horizontal member against the second surface of the structure, thereby securing the apparatus to the structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restraining an animal such as a dog within an automotive vehicle equipped with a personal (human) belt-type restraint system having an inertia brake. A tether is attachable at one end to an animal harness and at the other end to a section of human restraint system webbing, the latter attachment being achieved by way of a spring biased clamp having friction pads on the inside surfaces of two complemental clamp elements. The clamp elements are closed and secured by means of a buckle or clasp such as a loop/spring bayonet clasp.

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.