Abstract: An animal carrier has a top, bottom, front, back and sides forming a chamber, and a door. Fixed slots are formed in the sides with shiftable panels overlying the sides. The panels have shiftable slots with shiftable blockers between the slots. an enlarged opening in the front has horizontal edges extending from the top and bottom and vertical edges extending from the sides. A vertically disposed shiftable plate within the chamber is adapted to advance to expel the animal patient from the chamber. Wheels and associated fans function to create an airflow to minimize a force to move the system along a floor. A drainboard is positioned within the chamber on the bottom for draining urine to a collection zone. A slot above the collection zone is for removable receipt of a test slip for clinical analysis of the urine.

Abstract: A modular planting system which includes: an outer planter box having at least one side and being completely open at a top and open at a bottom of the outer planter box; an inner planter box having at least one side and a porous bottom and being completely open at a top of the inner planter box, the inner planter box being sized to fit within the outer planter box; wherein the outer planter box and inner planter box comprise a first module of the modular planting system.

Abstract: A kit for building a module for a pet comprises two bases and at least three wall panels. Each base comprises a base body extending along a first plane, a base contour wall extending substantially perpendicular to the first plane along its contour and a base secondary wall extending substantially parallel to the base contour wall thereby defining an anchoring space therebetween. Each wall panel comprises a panel body and a panel secondary wall substantially parallel to the panel body for insertion into the anchoring space between the base secondary wall and the base contour wall.

Abstract: A device for efficiently irrigating a number of housing assemblies containing soil and plants. The housing assemblies are vertically mounted on a support structure. An irrigation system provides a flow of water to each of the housing assemblies. Each housing assembly includes an interior shell nested within an exterior shell. The irrigation system delivers the flow of water to two different heights of soil within the interior shell. A user may adjust how water is distributed within each housing assembly by manipulating one of several valves controlling the delivery of water from a main artery to each housing assembly. Water may be selectively and adjustably delivered to a plant containing a shallow root system, or to a different variety plant containing an extended or deep root system as needed. Excess water may be drained from the interior shell and held within a cavity for reabsorption by the soil contained therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brush device for brushing, combing, grooming, massaging or detangling, in particular for the coat and skin care of domestic animals, comprising a cassette holder for receiving a brush cassette having a drivable brush belt. The cassette holder and the brush cassette are designed in such a way that the brush cassette can be inserted into, and removed again from, the cassette holder.

Abstract: A two-stage aeroponic growing system and method provides a cylindrical container and a sloped container that independently, or in conjunction, work to expose vegetation to nutrients, liquids, and light in two successive stages. A substrate, such as a Grodan® plug, initiates growth of the vegetation. The cylindrical and sloped containers provide a surface for the roots and fibers of the substrate to engage, and also have various apertures on all surfaces that enable 360° exposure to nutrients, liquids, and light. In the second stage of growth, the substrate snugly positions inside the cylindrical container. The sloped container snugly retains the cylindrical container. The sloped container has a sloped lid of about 6° that creates greater space for retaining multiple cylindrical containers. Drain holes and spray nozzles help control moisture exposure in the sloped container to create a controlled environment for the second stage growth of the vegetation.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic apparatus having a height-adjustable table for animals according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a table where an animal is placed; a support stand supporting the table such that the table vertically moves and adjusting height of the table to move the table close to a floor; an X-ray detector disposed under the table and coupled to the support stand to move with the table; and an imaging stand spaced from the table, connected to the support stand, and having an X-ray tube for radiating X-rays to the X-ray detector.

Abstract: An interactive cat toy having a passageway holding an object of prey movable in response to a motor between a recessed position within the housing and an extended position outwardly of the housing; and a switch for selectively directing an electric current to flow to the motor, the movement of the object of prey, attracting the attention of a cat, provides physical and mental exercise and activity for the cat. A method is disclosed for moving the object of prey within the passage between the recessed position in the housing and the extended position outwardly of the housing for entertaining and exercise of the cat.

Abstract: A bolster crate pad has a central pad that is rectangular with a pair of long ends and a pair of short ends. The central pad has a fabric cover and a filling. An inner bolster pad extends around a periphery of the central pad. An outer bolster pad is connected along a short end of the inner bolster pad. In one case, a second outer bolster pad is connected to a second short end of the inner bolster pad. In another case, the inner bolster pad has a number of trapezoidal subpads. The trapezoidal subpads can be isosceles trapezoids and they are connected together at their tops. The bolster crate pad may have two other outer bolster pads. This arrangement allows the bolster crate pad to fit a wide variety of crates without bunching in the corners.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a flow of milk includes a first and a second refrigeration system; a first and a second intermediate coolant circulating system; and a line manifold interconnectable between the first and second intermediate coolant circulating systems, wherein coolant in the first intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the first refrigeration system in a first heat exchange section and coolant in the second intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the second refrigeration system in a second heat exchange section. The cooling system is reconfigurable between first operation configuration providing two-stage cooling of the flow of milk and a second operation configuration providing one-stage cooling of the flow of milk.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for large scale, high throughput phenotyping of items including plants to derive environment/genetics correlations based on controlled variation of environment. Spatial and temporal resolution is improved by an integrated system that can use space efficiently yet concurrently process a large number of replicates but in varying environments. This is accomplished by using an array of miniature greenhouses, each in communication with one or more generators or regulators of an environmental factor that can be independently supplied and controlled to each miniature greenhouse. The controller also controls acquisition of data from each greenhouse as well as processing of that data into phenomic/genomic correlations.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is broadly directed to a hydroponic growing system. The disclosed system is a soil-free plant growth system comprising a water solution that includes dissolved nutrients and oxygen. The roots of the plants are submerged into the nutrient-laden aqueous solution, thereby providing nutrition to the plant. In this way, the exact amount of water, nutrients, and oxygen can be provided. The disclosed system further comprises an irrigation subsystem, environmental subsystem, and control subsystem that allows the system to be customized and motorized depending on the plant grown and the grow desired grow conditions.

Abstract: An injection fluid retention plug is provided which may be inserted into a preformed hole in a tree. The plug includes a hollow shank portion which is filled with a resilient material. The inner and outer ends of the shank portion have the same outer diameter. The shank portion does not have a flange at the outer end thereof.

Abstract: A support arm assembly for milking equipment is disclosed which includes a pivotable support arm and a stationary arm suspension configured to support the pivotable support arm. The pivotable support arm includes an elongated arm member configured to support a milking cluster of the milking equipment at a distal end portion thereof. The elongated arm member is pivotable in a first direction and an opposite second direction in a substantially horizontal plane. The support arm assembly also includes a holding device configured to maintain the elongated arm member in a first pivotal position when the elongated arm member is subjected to a pivotal force smaller than a threshold force. Further a milking parlor is disclosed.

Abstract: A pet fountain comprises an upper bowl, a base including a lower bowl. The upper bowl can be secured to the base so that it is elevated above the level of the base. The lower bowl is sufficiently large to accommodate the upper bowl when the upper bowl is not secured to the base. The internal space of the lower bowl has at least one span that is slightly greater than the longest measurement across the upper bowl.

Abstract: A safety stirrup for horseback riding having a first semi-arch element having a first end integrally connected to a first portion of a base element of the stirrup and a second end comprising a through hole for mounting a stirrup leather; a second semi-arch element having an end elastically connected to a second portion of the base element opposed to the first portion is provided. The second semi-arch element is configured to delimit a portion for inserting a rider's foot into the stirrup. The stirrup may have an elastic interposed between the end of the second semi-arch element and the second portion of the base element. Such elastic has an extension direction parallel to a main axis of the base element allowing the second semi-arch element to bend along the main axis away from the first semi-arch element and to elastically return said second semi-arch element to a rest position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tank having a body of water, the tank having a submerged plant material zone having plant material submerged within the body of water. The apparatus also includes an irrigated plant material platform, including additional plant material which is separated from the submerged plant material. The apparatus further includes an animal raising zone in fluid communication with at least a portion of the body of water, the animal raising zone separated from the submerged plant material zone by a porous filter. The apparatus includes a tank influent stream for passing water through the plant material zone and subsequently through the animal raising zone. The system includes a recycle loop having a pump disposed within the animal raising zone for pumping a waste product from the animal raising zone to the irrigated plant material platform. The animal raising zone may be a fish raising zone.

Abstract: An insert for use in an insect habitat. The insert usable to increase the overall surface space within a habitat available to cultivate the insects. The insert formed from including a plurality of members formed to mate or otherwise couple together to form a gird.

Abstract: A grafting method includes: making a cut surface of a scion and a cut surface of a rootstock contact with each other, and disposing sheet-like thermoplastic resin films facing each other across a contact part; and covering a periphery of the contact part with the thermoplastic resin films by ultrasonically welding the thermoplastic resin films.

Abstract: A trellis assembly for decorative trellizing of vines includes a base that is configured to position in soil. A bar is coupled to and extends bidirectionally from a top of the base. The bar is arcuate. A plurality of rods is coupled to and extends radially from the bar. The rods are substantially coplanar. Each rod has a plurality of fasteners that is coupled to and extends from the rod. The fasteners are configured to couple to vines to trellis the vines.