Abstract: A plant support assembly having a container and a support assembly retained on the container. The support assembly and the planter have equivalent geometric peripheries that are retained together by a plurality of clamps. The support assembly may also contain a u-channel formed into or fixed to the bottom of the support assembly for fitting the support assembly over the rim of the container.

Abstract: A structural cell system for supporting hardscape, allowing tree root growth, and managing stormwater underneath the hardscape. The system may include: a base having a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of support members interconnecting the receptacles; a plurality of legs each sized and shaped to be attachable to the base within one of the receptacles so as to extend from the base, and to be attachable to another of the legs so that pairs of legs attached to each other collectively extend from the base; and a top attachable to the legs. Outer edges of the base, the top, and the legs attached thereto define a volume, and are configured to support at least that portion of the hardscape overlying the top as well as a commercial vehicle traffic load thereon, while maintaining soil in a substantially uncompacted state throughout at least approximately ninety percent of the volume.

Abstract: A netting material having a length dimension and a width dimension much smaller than the length dimension comprises a flap folded from a fold region of the netting material along a longitudinal fold line at a distance from a longitudinal edge of the netting. The flap therefore comprises at least two layers of the netting material folded together. One or more eyelets are provided in the flap.

Abstract: A system and method for a hydroponics farm comprising a light source, a container filled with a liquid medium, a plate support positioned above the container comprising a foam support, wherein the foam support supports a plant at a stem portion. The foam supports may allow ease of transfer of the plants among a plurality of plate supports. The system and method may comprise exposing an upper portion of a plant root to ambient air while a tip of the root is in contact with the liquid medium to obtain nutrients. The system and method may also comprise periodically raising the level of the liquid medium, spreading a plant density, and oscillating the plant to promote growth.

Abstract: A system that incorporates spraying logic onto a sensor mat to detect and apply various liquids onto the feet of an animal. Each sensor in the sensor mat actuates at least one predetermined spray nozzle application of the medicinal fluid. The system is designed so that each hoof triggers at least two sensors, with each sensor activating at least one spray nozzle. All of the electronic components are located away from the mat and a controller control spraying and timing. Stop bars prevent the mat from compressing beyond a predetermined distance to prevent sensor failure. The sensors have a triple moisture prevention configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a sealed gear housing for a hand-held applicator for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, a first portion of the housing has a plurality of gear holes and a peripherally extending flange surrounding the gear holes. A second portion has a motor mount and having a peripherally extending groove in which the flange of the first portion fits, the first and second portions each have at least one delivery port configured to be coupled to an at least one disinfectant delivery line.

Abstract: An automated irrigation and/or fertigation apparatus, including a container, a plurality of pumps in the container, and a controller operably connected to each of the plurality of pumps is disclosed. Each of the pumps is configured to provide a unique fertilizer, nutrient and/or micronutrient to irrigation water. The controller is configured to control settings of each of the pumps to provide a predetermined amount of each unique fertilizer, nutrient and/or micronutrient to the irrigation water over a predetermined period of time. Corresponding methods of fertilizing a field and of making the automated irrigation and/or fertigation apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-level apartment type three-dimensional water tank, partitioned in front, rear, left and right directions in a multi-level structure and provided with a water tank sill support having an open top surface to accommodate the lower part of modular glass water tanks. The present multi-level apartment type three-dimensional water tank solves a problem such that the modular glass water tank made from glass or synthetic resin such as acryl can break due to slipping, which is caused by weak frictional force between the modular glass water tank and a bottom surface on which the modular glass water tank is provided, and facilitates the installation and separation of the three dimensional water tank and each modular glass water tank. The present water tank also makes it possible to recycle into nutritional contents needed for the growth of plants, organic and inorganic substances present as sources of pollution.

Abstract: A system for controlling a moisture content below a surface area, where the system is installable in a recess above which the surface area will be located. The system comprises a substantially water impermeable first layer, a porous second layer and a water control basin which comprises means for controlling a moisture level of the porous second layer. The system enables liquid from the water control basin to be transported through the second layer by utilization of capillary forces, providing for an efficient sub-surface irrigation system which is easy to maintain. A method for providing such an irrigation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An impact-activated illuminating leg wrap is configured to provide light on a moving animal. The impact-activated illuminating leg wrap includes a first layer joined to a second layer wherein the second layer further comprises a hook fastener. An upper strap is fixed to the loop fastener and attached to an upper strap loop fastener. The upper strap is adapted to be wrapped around a leg of an animal forming a rear leg wrap concave contour. An upper reflective strap is attached to the hook fastener and perforated with a series of upper reflective strap perforations. A series of upper reflective strap light emitting diodes is inserted through the series of upper reflective strap perforations and connected to the upper reflective strap. A first microcontroller is attached to the second layer with a first elastic strap.

Abstract: An apparatus for staking a tree is provided that includes a rigid body defining an outer surface, an inner surface, and opposed guides, the inner surface having a conformal curvature and the opposed guides being disposed along a longitudinal periphery of the rigid body, wherein the conformal curvature is sized to conform to an outer profile geometry of the tree.

Abstract: An animal restraining or tethering device for permitting movement of an animal along paths having their extent defined by a telescoping elevated rod adapted to be mounted between opposing passenger grab handles in a vehicle or between opposing mounting locations in a truck bed, is described. One end of a component rod member and one end of a tube member are fitted with adjustable end connectors for reversible attachment of the rod assembled therefrom to the passenger grab handles or the truck bed attachment locations. At least one sliding member adapted to slidably move along the rod is attached to a leash or chain which is in turn connected to an animal collar or harness. The sliding member can also be fixed at a chosen location along the rod, if desired. Various rings and loops may be fastened to the rod at chosen locations for holding items placed in the vehicle, and for preventing these items from being thrown about as a result of vehicle movement.

Abstract: An environment cleaning system for an animal breeding house has an outside environment, a breeding house, an air covering, and a cleaning device. The breeding house is deposited in the outside environment. The air covering is deposited in the outside environment and is mounted around the breeding house. The air covering is used to buffer the air pressure between the outside environment and the breeding house. The cleaning device is deposited in the outside environment, is connected to the air covering and the breeding house, and has an air exchanging unit and at least one filtering unit. The air exchanging unit controls the relative pressure among the outside environment, the air covering, and the breeding house to provide a unidirectional air flowing effect, and the flowing direction of the air is based on the relative pressure between the breeding house and the air covering.

Abstract: In order to avoid negative changes in the teat ends of a cow, in particular to avoid hyperkeratoses, the invention proposes a method for operating a milking system in which at least one of the parameters from total pressure per cycle, minimum total pressure per cycle or the ratio of total suction to total pressure is determined for at least one animal of a herd during at least one part of a milking process, and is compared with at least one reference value.

Abstract: A fully self-contained collar monitors the location of a pet. A look-up table has rows and columns representing geographic location, and machine-stored values at each table location represent a particular one of several guidance zones. The real-time guidance zone determination is made by first determining present location. The corresponding table location value representing guidance zone is retrieved. Each guidance zone has an associated set of characteristics used by collar electronics and stimulus generators to generate well defined and positive stimulus to train the pet to stay within a predetermined area. In addition, using location history the collar electronics also predictively alerts the pet of an impending exit from a safe zone. This departure alert may be further combined with inertial validation and dynamic position request intervals to provide a much more reliable and robust system that is then able to much more efficiently and effectively train a pet.

Abstract: An automated seed sampler system includes an orientation system configured to orient a seed, and a sampling station configured to remove tissue from the oriented seed. In addition, a method for removing tissue from seeds includes positioning multiple seeds together in a desired orientation in a seed transport subsystem, and removing tissue from the oriented seeds while the seeds are in the seed transport subsystem.

Abstract: An animal treat delivery system includes an elongated body formed of an animal digestible material and having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface defines a cavity and includes a plurality of projections extending from the interior surface into the cavity. One or more of the plurality of animal digestible treats are retained within the cavity of the elongated body by the projections.

Abstract: A milking device includes a support device (1) supporting a milking member (2) having a claw (3) and a number of teatcups (4) to be attached to a respective teat of an animal. The support device (1) includes a rear portion (6), an attachment part (9) attaching the support device to a structure, and an arm section (7) having a proximal end portion attached to the rear portion (6) and a distal end portion movable between an active position in the proximity of the animal to be milked and a rest position. A first cavity extends along the arm section and houses a retracting member for retracting the milking member from the teats of the animal. A second cavity for conveying a fluid flow extends along the arm section. The arm section includes an extruded part enclosing the first cavity and the second cavity.

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: A pet toy. The pet toy may comprise: a base, roller assembly, return coil, and flexible sheet. The base may comprise a first arm portion and a second arm portion disposed in parallel relation. The first arm portion may comprise a first receiving cavity, and the second arm portion may comprise a second receiving cavity. The first receiving cavity may engage with a first end of the roller assembly, and the second receiving cavity may engage with a second end of the roller assembly to hold and rotatably secure the roller assembly. The roller assembly may comprise a flap hingedly coupled to the roller assembly. The flap may be adapted to grasp a portion of the flexible sheet. The return coil may be coupled to the base and the roller assembly and may bias and rotate the roller assembly back towards its original position when the roller assembly is rotated.