Abstract: The present invention relates a plant cultivation apparatus using an up-down system enabling mass production of plants by allowing the entire area of a greenhouse to be used as a cultivation space.

Abstract: A capsule (1) for insertion into a bore of a porous element to apply treatment substance to the interior of the element and having a container (2), with at least one internal cavity (3) for receiving treatment substance and an outer stop flange (8), and a plug (4) received in and fixed to the container through a common interconnecting land (5). A first container shank portion (6) that extends from a first insertion end (1A) of the capsule and up to the area of the interconnecting land has a uniform, generally cylindrical shape, a second container shank portion (7) extending away from said container first shank portion, from the area of the inter-connecting land towards the outer stop flange, at least at an inner surface (7B) thereof has an outwardly slightly diverging, conical shape and at an outer surface (7A) thereof, separated a short distance from the outer stop flange has a first circumferential beveled edge (9) serving as a transition to an outer increased diameter section (7C).

Abstract: A thumb supported leash is provided. The thumb supported leash includes a thumb tab grip having a first end and a second end, a lead portion having a first end and a second end, and a clasp. The first end of the thumb tab grip includes an aperture extending there through having a size to receive one thumb there through. The second end of the thumb tab grip is coupled to the first end of the lead portion. The second end of the lead portion is coupled to the clasp. The aperture of the thumb tab grip may receive a thumb from a hand there through and the remaining fingers of the hand may then grasp the second end of the thumb tab grip to operate the thumb supported leash.

Abstract: Container systems for manipulating growth of a plant or a portion thereof in a controlled environment are provided. The growth of the plant can be controlled for ornamental benefit, commercial benefit or both. The container system may comprise separable modular sections, thereby allowing control over the growth of different parts of the plant. The separate modular sections may be assembled together to control the growth of the entire plant.

Abstract: A feeder for dispensing feed to livestock includes a trough and a hopper mounted above the trough. The hopper includes a sidewall, a bottom, a central feed discharge hole through the bottom, and a plurality of gravity flow feed openings arranged around the central feed discharge hole. A deflector is mounted in the hopper above and vertically spaced from the hopper bottom to cover the central feed discharge hole to restrict gravity flow of feed from the hopper through the central feed discharge hole. A sweep member is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis for sweeping feed under the deflector to the central feed discharge hole for discharge into the trough. A closure system is associated with the gravity flow feed openings to automatically close the gravity flow feed openings once animals start moving the sweep member to sweep feed to the central feed discharge hole.

Abstract: An irrigation device for facilitating growth of a plant includes a mat that is air and water permeable and has an opening through which a plant extends. A slit extends from the opening to a peripheral edge to facilitate placement of the mat around the plant. A drip tube is disposed within the mat between upper and lower surfaces, and has an open end connectable to a water source, and a series of emitters along the length thereof permitting water to exit the drip tube and through the lower surface of the mat. Stakes may extend through the mat and direct water into the ground towards roots of the plant.

Abstract: A system for controlling the position of a robot carriage 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, and a controller. The controller determines a rotational movement of a milking stall of the rotary milking platform, and determines a linear movement of the robot carriage on the carriage track corresponding to the rotational movement of the milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The controller further communicates a signal to a carriage actuator coupled to the robot carriage and the carriage track. The signal causes the carriage actuator to move the robot carriage along the carriage track according to the determined linear movement as the rotary milking platform rotates.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic arm and a controller. The controller accesses a first image and a second image generated by a first camera. The controller determines a reference point based at least in part on the first image. The controller determines a position of a teat of the dairy livestock based at least in part on the second image. The controller instructs the robotic arm to grip a milking cup and move it towards the determined position of the teat between the hind legs of the dairy livestock from the rear. The controller then instructs the robotic arm to release the milking cup, to move in an upward direction towards an udder of the dairy livestock, and to move away from the teat.

Abstract: A cat scratcher and activity center is in the form of a rectangular box having a top, bottom and four sidewalls creating an interior space, the top being detachable and completely removable from the rectangular box. A rectangular block of corrugated cardboard is sized to fit within and occupy the interior space, the cardboard block having an open fluted surface which is exposed upon removal of the top. A planar cardboard toy kit is sized to reside within the interior space atop the open fluted surface of the rectangular block of corrugated cardboard, the planar cardboard toy kit being convertible to a three-dimensional configuration appendable to one of the four sidewalls.

Abstract: A restraint device is for an animal. The restraint device may include a base attached to a ground, a shaft supported in the base, and a rotatable attachment point on the shaft for a leash for the animal. The shaft is flexible so that it is able to absorb force from the leash. The restraint device may include a platform configured to wrap around the base to provide stability for the base.

Abstract: A decorative tree stand that can include a support base and a tree support pivotally coupled to an upwardly facing surface of the support base is disclosed and described. The tree support can selectively pivot to allow the decorative tree to move from a display position to a storage position.

Abstract: Provided is a method for cultivating low potassium leafy vegetables at high yield without causing growth failure due to potassium deficiency in hydroponics. Cultivation is performed using a hydroponic solution containing a very small amount of potassium in the late cultivation period of low potassium leafy vegetables, thereby keeping the potassium content low at the time of harvest and also allowing the leafy vegetables to be stably harvested at high yield without causing potassium deficiency.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for growing marijuana plants, particularly for regulated purposes, for example medical purposes or in some jurisdictions recreational purposes, have automated subsystems with sensors to provide feedback information about system, apparatus and plant growth parameters to one or more controllers so that the one or more controllers can alter one or more parameters to provide optimal conditions for the growing and harvesting of the marijuana plants. In particular aspects, the systems, apparatuses and methods provide for control of odors produced during the growing of marijuana, root management of the marijuana plants and control over important levels of chemicals provided to the plants, for example enzymes and flavor additives.

Abstract: A modular vivarium is assembled from pre-manufactured, transportable, sterile modules of distinct types, called pods. A hallway pod forms a spine, with cage-rack pods, ingress/egress pods and optional HVACPIT pods providing HVAC, power and IT services connected as spur pods to the hallway. Supplies and waste are also within modular pods. Temporary or single-use seals cover doorways during transit. Modules are joined or removed while maintaining sterility on both sides of the flush-to-wall doorway junction. A spur pod is sterilely connected to a hallway pod by aligning respective doors proximal, placing a seal between the pods around the doorways, sterilizing air between the pods, then removing the temporary seals from each doorway. Pods may be constructed from easily transportable ISO intermodal containers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a container for cultivating peanut sprouts, comprising a container body which houses peanut sprout cultivation seedbeds for cultivating peanut sprouts, and forms a cultivation room; a bottom plate provided at the bottom of the container body to control temperature in the container body; and a water spray unit provided horizontally and vertically in the container body and for supplying water to the peanut sprout cultivation seedbeds, wherein the bottom plate is provided with a heating pipe in which hot water is circulated by means of a boiler.

Abstract: A birthing chamber assembly includes a housing. The housing is positioned at an intersection between a pair of vertical support surfaces. Thus, a feline may reside in the housing when the feline is birthing kittens. A lid is removably positioned on the housing to shelter the feline. The lid has an aperture extending therethrough to facilitate the feline to enter the housing. The aperture is spaced from the housing when the lid is positioned on the housing. Thus, the aperture inhibits the kittens from exiting the housing.

Abstract: A system comprising a robotic arm, a plurality of grabbers, a sensor, and a preparation cup. The robotic arm has a first end and a recessed portion. The grabbers are coupled to the robotic arm at the first end. The sensor is positioned inside the recessed portion of the robotic arm at a first distance from the first end and at a first angle. The preparation cup is coupled to wings having a body portion, a first extended portion, and a second extended portion. The body portion is coupled to a portion of the preparation cup, the first extended portion extends in a first direction and the second extended portion extends in a second direction. The wings are operable to be magnetically coupled to the plurality of grabbers via the first and second extended portions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a hydro planter comprising an inner container which can accommodate a substrate, an absorption medium and an outer container. The inner container has one or more grids that enable liquid to filter from the inner container to the outer container. The absorption medium has at least one conductive element that is located in the substrate within the inner container and the conductive element is also located in the outer container, and the absorption medium also has a flattened portion which extends with the inner container. Finally, the outer container has two or more legs which enable the outer container to be supported on a surface and which form a gap through which air or water can flow, and the hollow interior of each leg forms a tank for storing a liquid, inside of which the lower portion of the conductive element is received.

Abstract: A plant watering system includes a reservoir, a plant growth container located adjacent the reservoir, the reservoir having a water level in use below the container, one or more channels communicating between the reservoir and container, and a closing member for each channel movable between a lower open position and an upper closed position, wherein in the open position water in the reservoir may pass into the container to moisten a plant growth medium contained in the container and wherein, in the closed position the passage of water is prevented.

Abstract: A system for deterring pinnipeds comprising a plurality of connected tracks interspersed with expansion joints, wherein the tracks and expansion joints are operatively coupled via connector keys that fit into a recessed channel running underneath the tracks and expansion joints, the tracks and expansion joints having electrically insulated recessed channels allowing for conductive wire to run throughout the tracks and expansion joints, the expansion joints further comprising two wells allowing for excess wire to be coiled and housed, acting as a spring and allowing for expansion, and the wire is connected to a power source.