Abstract: A method comprises receiving a flow of milk at an inlet of a manifold. The inlet comprises a first end coupled to a hose that receives a flow of milk from a teat cup and a second end terminating in a chamber of the manifold. The manifold comprises one or more other inlets and a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets includes one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. The method proceeds by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding milk collector outlet by causing a shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to open, and by causing a drain valve corresponding to the inlet to close. The method concludes by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding drain outlet by causing the drain valve corresponding to the inlet to open.

Abstract: Roof runoff water control systems for a building with gutters and a downspout and buildings without gutters. Both systems employ a swale in the ground that is lined with rock filled bags that are opened and laid overlapped end-to-end. For the downspout, a closed bag filled with rock is placed under the downspout with open bags filled with rock laid overlapped end-to-end in the swale and overlapped downstream from the closed bag. For a building without gutters and having a drip line in the ground, open bags filled with rock are laid overlapped end-to-end in the swale. The swale and the open bags are aligned with the drip line.

Abstract: A boundary wall for framing beds, hotbeds, boundaries in gardens and green areas that includes construction elements configured for connection to each other. Each construction element includes a base body with projecting end sections having connection elements configured to support coupling elements. The connection elements also receive by form-fit at least one reinforcing coupling element which thereby connect the construction elements to each other and/or with other construction elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the location in which herbivore fowl populations congregate by altering the behavior of the fowl through the combination of providing a strong disincentive to populate areas where the presence of the fowl is not desired and a strong incentive to populate a proximate area where the presence of fowl can be tolerated. For herbivore waterfowl, and in particular Canada geese, the adjacent area also provides the waterfowl with a means of egress to water as an escape from predators and other perceived threats. The method uses a deterrent in the form of adulterated feed to dissuade the herbivore fowl from congregating in areas in which their presence is not desired and the use of an attractant in the form of non-adulterated feed to encourage the herbivore fowl to congregate in a proximate area in which their presence can be tolerated.

Abstract: A portable dispensing device for administering fluids intended for animals comprising a backpack with a main compartment delimited by a rear wall configured to come into contact with the back of the user, an outer wall arranged opposite the rear wall and a side wall linking the rear and outer walls, in addition to a flexible pouch containing the fluid to be administered, placed in said main compartment, in which at least the part of the outer wall of the backpack opposite said pouch is made from a rigid material in order to form a shockproof protection and the pouch is removably secured to the rear wall.

Abstract: An absorbent article for pets includes a front surface layer, a back surface layer, and an absorbent body, and is formed in a rectangular shape having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a pair of side portions. The first end portion is arranged on the body of the pet, and the second end portion side is detachably attached to the outer surface of the first end portion when worn. The absorbent article further includes an engaging member arranged on the outer surface side of the first end portion, and is engageable with the inner surface of the second end portion. A part of the outer surface of the back surface layer is formed from a member engageable with the engaging member. A low rigidity area is formed towards the second end portion side of the section on the first end portion where the engaging member is arranged.

Abstract: Pet neckwear can be created to close around a pet's neck or to enclose a standard pet collar, so that the apparel may fit to the specific size required by the pet. When used as a cover for a standard pet collar the neckwear may completely cover the collar underneath and yet still allow for leash attachment since it connects through the leash hook instead of over the top of it. The neckwear may be made of materials that can be wiped cleaned or machine washed and may have additional design elements attached in such a way as they could be detached and exchanged for different design elements to form a new style. It is also easy to attach so that even people with dexterity issues such as arthritis can use it to individualize their pet.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for stimulating a desired response, such as ovulation and egg laying, fertility, hunger, growth, mood and sexual maturity in birds or ayes, by controlling the pulsing of two or more different wavelength bands, duty cycle, and frequency of photon bursts within a photon signal to a bird, where the photon modulation and duty cycle is based upon the specific needs of the bird.

Abstract: Perforated rotating attraction drum of a general cylindrical shape and featuring openings, this drum being fitted for being mounted on a leaf-stripping head of the leaves of a foliage wall such as a row of vine-stock, characterized in that it features the superposition of a plurality of rings presenting an outside cylindrical surface, and of a plurality of annular openings made between two successive rings, these openings allowing the passage of a suction air flow across and towards the inside of the perforated rotating attraction drum featuring, internally, means of rigid assembly of the plurality of stacked rings and a coupling means to a motorization for its rotational drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting plants, trees, bushes, etc. from harsh environments when the ambient air temperature is below the lower tolerance limit for that species of plant. The apparatus consists of an envelope that covers the plant with a drawstring on the open end of the envelope that cinches around the base of the plant. Installed in envelope is a blower and heater that heats and circulates air throughout the envelope, creates a micro-environment within the envelope that is above the lower tolerance limit for that species of plant, keeping the plant from being harmed by the outside environment.

Abstract: A method and system providing farm decision support relating to individual animals in a herd in a farm environment includes a brush station having a reader configured to remotely register, via identification devices, an identity of each animal visiting the brush station responsive to a detection unit detecting a repositioning of the brush from a neutral position resulting from an animal pushing against the brush. The reader unit has a detection range within which identity data can be read out from the identification device of each animal. In response to a detected repositioning of the brush, the reader unit registers the identity data from a first detected identification device within the detection range, and forwards the identity data to a processing unit via an output interface. The processing unit stores registered data representing animal visits to the brush station as decision support data.

Abstract: A disposable diaper for pets having a shortest straight line point being further on a stomach-side waist area side than a diaper center point, and comprising: a rear-side waist area; a stomach-side waist area; a crotch area; a flap section provided in the stomach-side waist area and having an end section in the rear-side direction; a diaper longitudinal direction center line; the diaper center point; a tail insertion opening; an absorbent core; an attachment section arranged in the flap section; an attachment section intermediate point; an attachment area that receives the attachment section; and the shortest straight line point being a point on the diaper longitudinal direction center line at the shortest direct distance, via a rear-side end section of the flap section in a straight line from the attachment section center point to the diaper longitudinal direction center line.

Abstract: A universal fit flexible tree trunk guard fabricated from a medium to high density silicone rubber material for protecting the trunk of a tree or an ornamental shrub from strikes from lawn care equipment or from interactions with wildlife. A plurality of hole members are provided along the upper and lower edges of the trunk guard. This rectangular sheet can then be wrapped around the trunk, the diameter of the thus-formed cylinder adjusted to fit the tree or ornamental shrub to be protected. Mechanical fastening means can then be used, at registering hole members, to secure the trunk guard in a cylindrical form. Additionally, the interior surface, i.e. the surface that is facing the trunk of the tree or ornamental shrub, can be provided with a plurality of spaced bosses that maintain an air space between the surface of the tree trunk and the trunk guard.

Abstract: A restraint system for an animal includes a frame having top and bottom frame parts and a plurality of frame risers extending therebetween to maintain the top and bottom frame parts in a spaced apart manner; a perforated support surface affixed the frame; riser support members coupled to the frame, at least one of which is slidably coupled to the frame; a first riser arm affixed to a first riser support member; a first coupler coupled to the first riser arm; a second riser arm affixed to a second riser support member; a second coupler coupled to the second riser arm; and a first restraining loop configured to be placed around a neck of a first animal and to cross tie between the first coupler and the second coupler.

Abstract: A human operated control device for assisting a plurality of milking robots includes a controller adapted for controlling communication with a plurality of milking robots operated substantially simultaneously, graphical user interface (GUI) adapted for displaying information received from at least one milking robot and for receiving input from a human supervisor for operating the at least one milking robot based on the displayed information, and a processor adapted to convert the input received from the human supervisor into a command for operating the at least one milking robot from which the information was received. A milking robot for operating milking equipment is adapted to operate in one of an automated mode of operation and a human assisted mode of operation.

Abstract: A leash includes a container housing to be carried on a collar, chain, harness or other similar restraint, readily available for use. An outer end of a leash strap can be pulled by a user to dispense the leash strap for use, and the leash can be retracted and rewound in the container housing. The leash can be latched in a retracted configuration to prevent unwanted extension of the leash, and can be unlatched by a user for extension or storage of the leash in the retracted configuration. In one form the leash includes a thumb wheel that can be turned by a user on an inner rotatable spool in an unlatched position, and rotation of the thumb wheel is prevented in a latched position.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems for stimulating a desired response, such as ovulation and egg laying, hunger, growth, mood and sexual maturity in birds, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, quail and ostrich, by controlling the duty cycle, wavelength band and frequency of photon bursts to a bird, through the high frequency modulation of photons in an individual color spectrum to the bird and duty cycle, where the photon modulation and duty cycle is based upon the specific needs of the bird.

Abstract: A pet feeding system includes amongst its features a bowl member, at least one plate member, and an annularly contoured lid member. In the bowl member, a lower base plate and an upper base plate are integrally formed with a sidewall to define a liquid containing chamber between the lower and upper base plates. Moreover, the sidewall extends vertically above the upper base plate. The plate member is mounted on the upper base plate. In certain exemplary uses, the upper base plate has a recessed surface to receive the plate member. The plate member is adapted to receive an ingestible good product. Furthermore, the annularly contoured lid member is rotationally and fixedly attached to the sidewall of the bowl member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery system for the underwater feeding of aquatic life, wherein the delivery system is compact and secured to a user thereby providing ease of use and ready accessibility of the delivery system while the user is engaged in underwater activities. The delivery system further prevents the backwash of water from the aqueous environment into the delivery system when in use. Additionally, the delivery system comprises a food composition for the feeding of the aquatic life that is not readily water soluble and that has a sufficient viscosity such that the food composition will not readily disperse or dissolve when dispensed into the aqueous environment.

Abstract: Animal litter for animals which consist of a plurality of granular materials, wherein the granular materials contain aromatic granular materials each of which has base material which generates heat by absorbing water and an aromatic component adsorbed onto the base material. According to the present invention, the animal litter for animals, which are not emitting a strong scent regularly, but emit a strong scent by absorbing an animal's excrement, and thereby effectively restrain the stench emitted from the excrement, can be provided.