Abstract: A bush pruning apparatus adapted for use in combination with a tractor or similar vehicle, wherein the apparatus is mounted to the tractor by a frame that allows the position of the cutting blade relative to the bush be pruned to be freely independent of the position or tilt of the tractor, such that changes in elevation or ground surface encountered by the tractor are not transmitted to the cutting blade to adversely affect the height of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A pet bed having a substructure including a square or rectangular-shaped planar base and four sidewalls extending orthogonally from it. The sidewalls are affixed to the planar base proximate its edges and to each other to establish a volume. The substructure is introduced to an outer shell fabric, said outer shell fabric having a top cover selectively joined thereto for providing selective access to the volume. A cushion is shaped and sized for snugly fitting within the volume and being frictionally retained therein, the top cover providing for selective access thereto.

Abstract: A robotic attacher includes a main arm that is suspended vertically from a rail, and a supplemental arm that is coupled to and extends horizontally from the main arm along a longitudinal axis. The supplemental arm includes a pivot assembly that pivots a gripping portion around a vertical axis that is substantially parallel to the main arm of the robotic attacher, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the supplemental arm, and between at least a maximum-left position, a maximum-right position, and a centered position. The pivot assembly includes a first actuator that extends and retracts a first cable coupled to a left side of the gripping portion in order to pivot the gripping portion. The pivot assembly further includes a second actuator that extends and retracts a second cable coupled to a right side of the gripping portion in order to pivot the gripping portion.

Abstract: A system includes a linear carriage track positioned adjacent to a rotary milking platform, a robot carriage positioned on the carriage track such that the robot carriage may move along the carriage track from a first linear position to a second linear position, and a controller. The controller determines a movement of a milking stall of the rotary milking platform from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. The controller further determines the second linear position of the robot carriage on the carriage track corresponding to the movement of the milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The controller also communicates a position signal to a carriage actuator coupled to the robot carriage and the carriage track. The position signal causes the carriage actuator to move the robot carriage along the carriage track from the first linear position to the second linear position in conjunction with the movement of the rotary milking platform.

Abstract: A system comprises a robotic arm, camera, and a controller. The camera is positioned on a surface of the robotic arm and emits a laser signal at an upward, non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the robotic arm. The controller instructs the robotic arm to grip a milking cup, and determines a position of a teat of the dairy livestock based at least in part upon the non-zero angle of the laser signal emitted by the camera. The controller instructs the robotic arm to move the milking cup towards the determined position of the teat between the hind legs of the dairy livestock from the rear, release the milking cup in response to the milking cup being attached to the teat. move in an upward direction towards an udder of the dairy livestock in conjunction with the robotic arm releasing the milking cup, and to move away from the teat.

Abstract: A planter box for holding planting soil includes a box body having a bottom wall, a sidewall and an open top. An anti-clog drainage and irrigation pipe is mounted across and above the bottom wall. The pipe includes a water inflow and outflow opening formed at a lower portion and extending along the length of the pipe. Two flow-guiding plates extend from two longitudinal sides of the water inflow and outflow opening towards an interior of the pipe body to form two overflow troughs in the pipe. During rainy day, the pipe is used for drainage. During sunny days, water can be supplied to the pipe for irrigation. A method for soil drainage and irrigation is also disclosed.

Abstract: An insulated chilling reservoir for chilling and storing a nutrient solution utilized with a hydroponic system for growing plants. The chilling reservoir has a plurality of exterior walls that enclose an interior chamber that is sized and configured to receive a quantity of the nutrient solution. At least the side exterior walls are insulated. The interior chamber has one or more interior walls and a chamber floor that are in contact with the nutrient solution when it is in the interior chamber. The chilling reservoir has a chilling mechanism associated with the reservoir body and the interior chamber that lowers the temperature of the nutrient solution through the interior walls when the solution is in the interior chamber. A control panel allows the grower to monitor and control the temperature of the nutrient solution. The chilling mechanism includes evaporator coils in the exterior walls, a radiator and a refrigerant system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method of using the device for pet care. The device has a housing divided into two halves that may be fastened together to form a single item such as a ball. Each of the halves having an interior side, an exterior side and a circumferential edge that contains the locking means to removably fasten the halves together. One half of the device having a refillable liquid cavity with cap for holding liquid, a reusable sponge, massaging bristles extending through and beyond the reusable sponge on the interior side, and a liquid dispensing mechanism with one or more apertures for releasing the fluid into the reusable sponge. The other half is hollow and has a grooming surface and vents to allow the reusable sponge to dry when the device is fastened together. Methods of using the device are also provided.

Abstract: A carrier for transporting an animal is constructed from a hoodie jacket manipulated into a cross-body, i.e., sling-style, outer bag for carrying small animals. The jacket's sleeves are joined to one another to create a shoulder strap. Preferably, the jacket has two sewn-in front pockets and a full-front pull zipper that extends from the bottom of the jacket to the neck aperture. The carrier has a separate, removable sleep bag to provide additional comfort to the animal and ease entry and exit of the animal into and out of the carrier.

Abstract: Improvements in a retractable Snap-On Leash is disclosed. The Snap-on Leash is always on the collar and can be used on nearly any collar that is available in the market place. This further allows the retractable snap-on leash to be removed and placed on a different collar when as the animal grows and when the collar wears out or is damaged. The owner simply needs to locate the handle to extend the leash. A lanyard retainer, stop or lock can be incorporated to limit the extension length less than the length of the leash spooled in the housing. The retracting mechanism allows the leash to be retracted automatically at the end of a walk or as the dog changes distance from the owner. The handle conforms to the shape of the housing to minimize a surface that can catch on anything that the dog might encounter.

Abstract: An improved restraining device may include a retractable strap lead, a housing in which the retractable strap lead is at least partially housed, and a twister for changing the orientation of the retractable strap so that, in use, the orientation of the strap is changed as it is deployed from the housing.

Abstract: A coated seed product, the product comprising: at least one plant seed; and a coating adhered to the exterior of the plant seed, the coating comprising one or more evaporite minerals, preferably polyhalite.

Abstract: A storage garment stores a liquid in an interior bladder providing facilitated access to the liquid while it is carried inside the storage garment. A jacket is configured to be worn by a user, such as a dog. The jacket forms a substantially contoured fit over the user and has a harness portion that fastens around the user. At least one pocket portion in the jacket holds at least one bladder portion. The bladder portion holds liquid, such as water, to hydrate or clean. A pocket fastener regulates access to the bladder. A tube portion carries liquid to the user and a valve portion regulates the liquid flow. A pump portion forces the liquid out of the bladder through an outlet. A secondary pocket holds a container that folds for stowage and expands into a bowl shape for holding liquid.

Abstract: A seed growing device, method, and system are described. The seed growing device may comprise a solid-shape and a seed-enclosure located within the solid-shape. The solid-shape may comprise a mixture. The mixture may comprise a dry acid and a dry base. The seed-enclosure may comprise a seed and/or spore. The seed-enclosure may comprise an outer-layer that may be dissolvable upon contact with liquid water. When the solid-shape may be sufficiently wetted with liquid water, the dry acid and the dry base may absorb at least some of the liquid water to interact in an aqueous acid base chemical reaction causing bubbling and transitioning the solid-shape from a dry state into a liquid state; and in some embodiments emitting a fragrance. At least some of the liquid water may dissolve the seed-enclosure enough to permit some of the liquid water to reach the seed and initiate seed germination.

Abstract: An apparatus for gesture control and directional force on remote object based on smart wearable is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect a user's gesture, a communication unit, and a controller configured to generate a command for a virtual leash based on the detected gesture, and to control the communication unit to transmit the command to a collar of a pet.

Abstract: A protective apparel is provided that includes a body component configured to saddle a dog. The protective apparel may include at least one body securing mechanism to secure the body component to the dog. The protective apparel may also include at least one footwear element and at least one coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism configured to couple the at least one footwear element to the body component. The at least one coupling mechanism may be removably attached to the body component and/or to the at least one footwear element, thereby allowing the protective apparel to be easily stored.

Abstract: A latching mechanism having a camming surface to engage the latching mechanism without human intervention when a door is traversed from an opened position to a closed position is disclosed. Other latching mechanisms are also disclosed. The latching mechanism may also be rotatable to engage the latching mechanism and prevent opening of the door from the closed position.

Abstract: A system comprises a milking box, a robotic attacher, a sensor, and a controller. The milking box has a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock. The stall comprises a first exit gate on a first side of the stall leading to a first sorting region and a second exit gate on a second side of the stall leading to a second sorting region. The robotic attacher extends from the rear between the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The sensor identifies the dairy livestock within the milking box stall. The controller selects and opens the first exit gate or the second exit gate based at least in part upon the identity of the dairy livestock in order to direct the first dairy livestock into either the first sorting region or the second sorting region.

Abstract: According to an example, artificial ovulation and spawning of freshwater eels may be induced to promote artificial ovulation without employing intraperitoneal injection, by feeding a feminization-inducing material (e.g., 17?-estradiol) for inducing feminization during a predetermined period into a raising bath in which broodfish are raised and, when an ovulation induction period arrives, adding pituitary extracts of catadromous fish as an artificial ovulation-promoting substance to the bath. Raising water of the raising bath may be prepared by selectively setting fresh water, brackish water and seawater conditions, a feminization-inducing material for inducing complete feminization of broodfish of the freshwater eels is fed to the raising bath, including the raising water under a fresh water condition, and pre-treatment for feminization is performed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for training a grape vine. The apparatus is a linear grid composed of transverse and longitudinal elements that are configured to result in a network of spaces that are sized to substantially provide a separate space for each vine shoot. The apparatus is mobile within the vine canopy serving various functions as the growing season progresses. The mobility of the grid apparatus allows repositioning throughout the growing season while still retaining the shoots within the grid openings.