Abstract: A horticulture apparatus and method for planting, growing, and harvesting plants may include a platform having a width axis and a length axis, a gantry sized to straddle and move across at least one of the platform's width and length axes, and a controller. The gantry may comprise a frame, a motor mounted to the frame, a container bin operatively connected to the frame, and a modular tool operatively connected to the frame. The controller may engage the motor of the gantry to move the gantry across the platform, thereby providing the modular tool with access to different locations on the platform.

Abstract: Disclosed is a growing system that includes a hollow grow tower with planting units configured to hold plants disposed on the tower exterior where the planting units have a passage that extends into the tower interior. The tower also includes a drain port at one end and a water-dispensing nozzle at the other end. The nozzle includes outlet apertures in fluid communication with the interior of the tower where one or more of the nozzle outlet apertures may be square. An enclosure surrounds the tower, and one or more light sources are mounted on the enclosure to direct light towards the tower. The tower and enclosure can be connected to a suspension frame that suspends the entire system off the ground. The system may include a closed-loop irrigation system and a multi-tank cleaning system. System variables, such as water flow, temperature, lighting, and water nutrient level can be computer controlled.

Abstract: In indoor growing system uses roof mounted solar collector tubes that are supplemented with red and blue light emitting LED's. The LED intensity and intensity ratio is modulated in response to the chromatic variations in the solar energy reaching the plants that occurs season, time of day and weather conditions to optimize plant growth as well as product yield and quality. The LED intensity and intensity ratio is also temporally modulated in accordance with a plants growing cycle. The system enables space intensive agriculture with lower power and water usage, while producing higher quantity and quality output.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reusable floral bouquet arranging fixture having a 3D substantially conic section frame, with apertures arranged thereon for the insertion of plant stems, such that the plant stems converge substantially to a common point; wherein the frame attaches to an adjustable support apparatus, including an associated spindle, and a bracket having a lower arm with a slotted portion that adjusts the location of the spindle, and an upper arm slotted portion that adjusts the location of a holding device, including a clamp that attaches to a base; and wherein said frame is removable for use at an event, as a gift, or as a household or business decoration.

Abstract: A multi-level vertical farm comprises a lift apparatus configured to carry growth trays from a bottom to a top position adjacent to a conveyor. The conveyor is configured to transport trays downwardly to near the bottom position and normally is fully loaded with adjacent trays along the entire conveyor. A growth tray in the lowest, bottom position is discharged out of that position to an irrigation or harvesting station. The discharge of a tray from the bottom position causes preceding trays to move downward, thereby opening a space in the top position for another tray, which may be lifted there. A computer system may be connected to the apparatus and programmed to start a motor of the lift apparatus to move the growth trays. The apparatus enables simulating a day-night plant growth cycle, and using thermal convection to apply more warmth to higher positions, in a compact vertical arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poultry container door corner part for releasable connection to a container for holding live poultry with two substantially flat panels, rectangularly joined together and forming an elongate corner part with a substantially L-shaped cross-section. The present invention also relates to a poultry container door frame for supporting a poultry container door corner part. Furthermore the invention relates to a poultry container door, comprising a poultry container door corner part and a poultry container door frame, as well as to a poultry container for holding live poultry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for growing mushrooms, including beds for holding compost and a shelving arranged for supporting the beds for holding compost. The beds are placed at a mutual distance above each other. The beds are movable between at least a first position, wherein a second bed supported above a first bed at least partially impedes the accessibility of the first bed in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the first bed extends, and a second position in which at least a larger part of the first bed is free approachable from a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the first bed extends than in the first position. The shelving includes at least one portal. The portal includes at least two essentially vertical stands connected by at least one beam that extends from a first stand to the second stand. At least two beds are movably supported by the at least one beam.

Abstract: An animal nutrition system and method for effectively monitoring and managing animal nutrition. The animal nutrition system and method generally includes a food container storing a volume of pet food, a package identification chip attached to the food container, a food serving appliance configured to removably receive the food container, and a scale positioned within the food serving appliance to weigh the food container periodically to generate weight data. The food serving appliance includes a chip reader that communicates with the package identification chip to receive food container data from the package identification chip to acquire data related to the food package.

Abstract: A method and system for managing bearing plants so that their belowground root-zones are clustered together to improve water-use effectiveness; and training their aboveground structures such that their aboveground structures have the wider spacing they require. It is applicable to plants (e.g., vine-like plants including wine grapes) whose trunks can be oriented at an angle other than vertical or which can be otherwise shaped so that their canopies are not centered above their root-zones but rather are horizontally offset from the root-zones.

Abstract: A grow media includes a layered grow media including a mechanical support structure layer and a wicking structure layer. The mechanical support structure layer and the wicking structure layer are coupled together in a vertical configuration.

Abstract: A vegetation effect calculation device includes: a memory configured to store instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to: acquire a moisture content of a slope, a relational expression between the moisture content and an adhesion of soil in the slope, and a vegetation adhesion that is an adhesion of vegetation abundantly growing in the slope; calculate a correction value, using the acquired moisture content of the slope, and the acquired relational expression between the moisture content and the adhesion of the soil; and calculate a corrected vegetation adhesion, using the acquired vegetation adhesion, and the calculated correction value.

Abstract: A perch configuration for a bird feeder, the bird feeder having a seed container and a seed access area to permit a bird to land thereon to feed from the seed access area, the perch member having a generally inverted U-shaped configuration whereby when a bird perches on the member, there are no sharp edges contacting the bird's claws.

Abstract: A cat litter box mat having a planar upper layer which overlaps and covers a planar lower layer. In some embodiments, the planar upper layer includes a pair of planar upper layers. The planar upper layers are connected to the planar lower layer. A plurality of openings are formed through the upper layers and these openings increase in area from a lower surface of each upper layer to an upper surface of the upper layers. Connecting members are provided for joining additional mats placed adjacent one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant factory, which provides the following effects. The mesh-shaped floor is formed through the layer division support frame in the cultivation chamber, and the floor is divided into the cultivation layers having a multi-layered structure of two or more layers, thereby minimizing input resources and maximizing space and energy utilization efficiencies.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for cultivation of horticultural products, more specifically mushrooms. A first and a second rack are arranged adjacent and aligned with each other, providing a working space therebetween. Each rack comprises support structures arranged at support heights for supporting cultivation packages at a plurality of heights. The support heights are aligned with each other. The arrangement comprises moving means for moving packages from the first to the second rack or back, via the working space. Cultivation packages can be supported such that at most a single package is supported at each of the aligned support heights. This enables the packages to be alternatingly supported in either the first or the second rack across the support heights. The arrangement further includes an operator platform within the working space which is moveable in a vertical direction to enable working at different heights.

Abstract: A cultivation method repeats a cultivation step, an exporting step, a working step, and an importing step in this order. In the cultivation step, plants are cultivated in a state where a plurality of cultivation units are accommodated in a storage rack. A plurality of cultivation vessels are disposed in the plurality of cultivation units. Each of the plurality of cultivation vessels is configured to hold the plants and a culture solution. In the exporting step, at least one of the cultivation units is transported by a transportation device from the storage rack to a workstation. In the working step, a new culture solution is supplied to a plurality of cultivation vessels. In the importing step, the cultivation unit is imported into the storage rack by the transportation device.

Abstract: A rodent trap incorporating a pre-loaded bait of non-artificial fresh food in a pre-sealed container that is covered by a peelable sheeted material such that when setting the trap, an operator will peel off the sheeted material to expose the fresh food bait and then set the trap. The pre-loaded bait container finds utility in bail-type traps as well as adhesive glue traps.

Abstract: The squirrel repelling bird feeder comprises a first pole section, a second pole section, a cable, a baffle, and a bird feeder. The squirrel repelling bird feeder may be adapted to feed birds from the bird feeder. The bird feeder may be suspended above the ground via the first pole section and the second pole section. The baffle may prevent squirrels from accessing bird seed in the bird feeder. The bird feeder may be lowered via the cable for refilling. The feeder may be retained in an elevated position by securing an end of the cable to an anchor located on the second pole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing mushrooms, comprising the steps of: i) providing a tray having a first surface and an opposite second surface and comprising a plurality of depressions in the first surface, the inner surfaces of the depressions defining receptacles open to the first surface for holding a mushroom growth medium and the outer surfaces of the depressions defining protrusions extending out from the second surface, ii) filling each receptacle at least partially with a mushroom growth medium, iii) applying a foil or sheet to the first surface so as to close each receptacle, iv) pasteurizing the mushroom growth medium, v) inoculating the growth media with mushroom spawn by injecting the mushroom spawn through the foil or sheet into the mushroom growth medium, vi) incubating the growth medium for allowing a mushroom mycelium to form in the mushroom growth medium, vii) at least partially removing or opening the foil or sheet above the receptacles to allow mushrooms to grow to pro

Abstract: A growing device (mini-greenhouse) comprising a dome for growing crops therein and a light module operably installed on an exterior of the dome for projecting a light beam onto the crops. The dome comprises one or more openings/cutouts therein poisoned at locations that match the locations of corresponding lights of the light module such that the path of the light beam is unobstructed by the material of the dome. The light module is configured to dissipate the heat generated by the lights away from the dome, whereby the base portion of the light which includes the necessary circuitry is contained within the light module and the light beam projected in the dome is either reflected by a protruding reflector that penetrates the dome or a flat reflector that projects the light through the opening. The light module may include vents and/or fans for dissipating the heat into the atmosphere.